Enabling broadcast of multiple data configurations

ABSTRACT

A broadcast data server enables broadcast of multiple data configurations. The broadcast data server maintains configuration definitions that define how broadcast data may be configured for presentation to a viewer. The broadcast data server also maintains region definitions that identify regions that may be associated with client devices for receiving broadcast data. The configuration definitions are mapped to region definitions, enabling a client device in a particular region to selectively receive broadcast data according to any one of multiple data configurations that are associated with the particular region.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to data broadcasting and, in particular, toenabling broadcast of multiple data configurations.

BACKGROUND

Digital television networks generally devote most of their availablebandwidth to broadcasting audio and video information. In addition,other information that does not encode video and audio is generally sentin parallel using a small amount of the available bandwidth, typicallyreferred to as an out-of-band network. This other information oftenincludes, but is not limited to, electronic program guide data,conditional access instructions, layout information for a user interfaceto be displayed, and advertising data. Usually, set-top boxes aredesigned to gather out-of-band data in parallel with decoding andrendering video and audio data, so that a viewer is free to watchprogramming while the set-top box accumulates programming data and otherinformation. For example, a cable television broadcast company maybroadcast program content over a broadband cable network and broadcastadditional related data over a separate smaller band of the same cablenetwork. In this way, a viewer using a client that has at least twotuners can change channels using a first tuner while the clientcontinues receiving the additional data using a second tuner.Alternatively, multiple data streams may be broadcast in parallel overthe same channel, allowing a client device with only one tuner tosimultaneously receive broadcast program content and broadcast data overthe same channel. Because both the quality and number of televisionchannels is a major business point for digital television operators, theamount of bandwidth reserved for the secondary information is usuallyextremely limited compared to the amount of bandwidth used forbroadcasting the video and audio data.

Furthermore, set-top boxes are typically pre-configured to download anddisplay additional data, such as programming data, in a particularlanguage and according to a particular layout. The particular languageand layout to be supported is initialized when the set-top box isprovisioned, and the user is not given the ability to select anotherlanguage or layout.

SUMMARY

Enabling broadcast of multiple data configurations is described. Abroadcast data server maintains multiple configuration definitions thatare mapped to region definitions. Region definitions may representgeographical regions in which client devices may be implemented or othergroupings of client devices based on parameters other than geographicallocation. Configuration definitions define data groupings according tovarious languages and/or display formats. The region/configurationmappings are broadcast along with broadcast data, allowing each clientdevice within a region to selectively receive portions of the broadcastdata according to any of a number of data configurations associated withthe region. In this manner, a single data broadcast can be received by aclient device according to any one of multiple configurations, each ofwhich results in a different presentation of the data to a viewer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference likefeatures and components.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary broadcast television system implementedto broadcast multiple data configurations.

FIG. 2 illustrates select components of an exemplary broadcast dataserver employed in the broadcast television system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary structure of a configuration repositoryemployed in the broadcast data server of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary data structure for a configurationdefinition that is stored in the configuration repository of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary data structure for a region definitionthat is stored in the configuration repository of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary structure of a region configuration filethat is generated based on data stored in the configuration repositoryof FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method for enabling broadcast ofmultiple data configurations.

FIG. 8 illustrates select components of an exemplary client deviceemployed in the broadcast television system of FIG. 1, and implementedto selectively receive broadcast data according to any one of multipledata configurations.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method for enabling viewer selection ofone of multiple data configurations.

FIG. 10 illustrates select components of an exemplary client objectimplemented as a state machine within the client device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates select components of an exemplary task objectimplemented as a state machine within the client device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating state transition inthe client object of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to create a new task object in response to anAPI call.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed the client object of FIG. 10 while in a getting region configfile state.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to select a configuration.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the client object of FIG. 10 while in a main state.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the client object of FIG. 10 in response to a task idletimer signal while in a main state.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the client object of FIG. 10 when a response is receivedfrom a one-way broadcast carousel file system while in a main state.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the client object of FIG. 10 in response to a region idletimer signal while in a main state.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to prepare a task list.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to choose a configuration in response to an APIcall.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to identify a first task object to beprocessed.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to invalidate all task objects in a task list.

FIG. 24 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating state transition inthe task object of FIG. 11.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a new state.

FIG. 26 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a syncing state.

FIG. 27 a is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a synced state.

FIG. 27 b is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a synced state after ahandler function is called.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating state transition inthe task object of FIG. 11.

FIG. 29 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a new state.

FIG. 30 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a validating state.

FIG. 31 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a syncing state.

FIG. 32 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a synced state.

FIG. 33 a is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a validating pre-syncedstate.

FIG. 33 b is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating operationsperformed by the task object of FIG. 11 while in a validating pre-syncedstate after a handler function is called.

FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary reset method of the task object of FIG.11.

FIG. 35 illustrates an exemplary shelve method of the task object ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 36 illustrates an exemplary check invalidate method for of the taskobject of FIG. 11.

FIG. 37 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to find a specified file in a given path inresponse to an API call.

FIG. 38 illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed by theclient object of FIG. 10 to find a specified file in a default path inresponse to an API call.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to enabling broadcast of multipledata configurations in a broadcast television system. Program content(e.g., broadcast television programs, video-on-demand programs, etc.)and data (e.g., electronic program guide data, video-on-demand data,advertisements, etc.) are broadcast from a headend system, such as acable television company to multiple client devices, such as cabletelevision set-top boxes. In addition to broadcasting program contentand associated data, the headend also broadcasts data that defines dataconfigurations that are available to client devices receiving thebroadcast data. A client device presents a viewer with a list ofavailable configurations through a user interface that is associatedwith the client device. When a viewer selects an availableconfiguration, the client device selectively receives portions of thebroadcast data according to the selected configuration definition. Aclient device can selectively receive data according to any one ofmultiple configurations based on a region identifier that is associatedwith the client device. In one implementation, the region identifier maybe assigned to the client device by a client device manufacturer. Forexample, digital video disc (DVD) players typically have a regionidentifier built into each unit that identifies a particular geographicregion (e.g., North America) for which the unit is designed. In analternate implementation, a client device may be assigned a regionidentifier during a cable company setup process. For example, the cablecompany may send a packet of data to the client device identifying theregion that is associated with the client device. In another alternateimplementation, an algorithm on the client device may be used todetermine an appropriate region identifier based, for example, on a listof available channels. A region identifier may be based on a geographicregion within which the client device is implemented or may be based onother parameters, for example, a channel lineup that may be available toa group of client devices. The region identifier can then be used by theclient device to determine multiple data configurations that areavailable. For example, a television set-top box that is configured toreceive broadcast television programs and data from a cable company inSan Francisco may be able to selectively receive broadcast data based onan English configuration or based on a Spanish configuration.Alternatively, a set-top box that is configured to receive broadcasttelevision programs and data from a cable company in New York City maybe able to selectively receive broadcast data based on an Englishconfiguration, a German configuration, or a French configuration.Additional configurations may also be supported that may or may not bebased on a language. For example, a child-friendly configuration may bedesigned to provide a simplified user interface and to allow access to alimited number of broadcast channels. In another example, alternateconfigurations may be designed that provide themed user interfacesbased, for example, on professional sports teams or other viewerinterests. Furthermore, configurations may be defined that are based ona combination of one or more themes and a language, such as an Englishbaseball configuration, a Spanish baseball configuration, and anEnglish/child-friendly/baseball configuration. Advertisements may alsobe targeted based on a chosen configuration.

Exemplary System Architecture

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary broadcast television system 100implemented to enable broadcast of multiple data configurations. System100 facilitates distribution of program content and associated data tomultiple viewers. Broadcast television system 100 includes one or morecontent providers 102, one or more data providers 104, broadcast dataserver 106, headend 108, and multiple client devices 110(1), 110(2), . .. , 110(N) coupled to the headend 108 via in-band network 112 andout-of-band network 114.

Content providers 102 distribute stored program content such as movies,television programs, music, and similar audio and/or video content fromcontent providers 102 to headend 108. Additionally, content providers102 control distribution of live content (e.g., content that was notpreviously stored, such as live feeds) and/or content stored at otherlocations to headend 108.

Data providers 104 provide additional data to be broadcast such asadvertisements, electronic program guide (EPG) data, video-on-demand(VOD) data, and so on, to broadcast data server 106.

Broadcast data server 106 receives data from data providers 104,arranges the data according to multiple data configuration definitions,and delivers the data to headend 108. Broadcast data server 106 includesdata collectors 116 and configuration management system 118. Datacollectors 116 gather and cache data from data providers 104.Configuration management system 118 maintains configuration definitionsthat are used to determine how the data that is gathered by the datacollectors 116 is to be delivered to headend 108, and in turn, broadcastto client devices 110.

Headend 108 includes a data carousel 120, a broadcast transmitter 122,and may also optionally include a content carousel 124. Data carousel120 is a storage area from which broadcast data (received from dataproviders 104 via broadcast data server 106) can be broadcast overout-of-band (OOB) network 114 to the multiple client devices 110.Broadcast transmitter 122 controls the transmission of program contentover in-band network 112 and data over OOB network 114. Program contentmay be streamed directly from content providers 102 or may be receivedand stored in optional content carousel 124 before it is broadcast toclient devices 110. Because both the quality and number of televisionchannels is a major business point for digital television operators, theamount of bandwidth reserved for OOB network 114 is typically extremelylimited compared to the amount of bandwidth reserved for the in-bandnetwork 112.

Client devices 110 are implemented to receive broadcast program contentand broadcast data from headend 108 via in-band network 112 and OOBnetwork 114. Furthermore, each client device is configured to receive aregion configuration file that contains data configuration definitionsthat are available to the client device based on a region identifierthat is associated with the client device. The client device presents aviewer with a list of available configurations using a user interfacecomponent. When a user selects a configuration, the client device thenselectively receives broadcast data according to the definition of theselected configuration.

Client devices 110 can be implemented in any number of ways. Forexample, a client device implemented as a satellite receiver coupled toa television receives broadcast content and data from a satellite-basedtransmitter, and the received content and data is rendered on thetelevision screen. A client device implemented as a cable televisionset-top box receives broadcast content and data over a cable network.Other example client devices include digital video recorders, TV-enabledpersonal computers, and so on, and may include any client deviceconfigured to receive broadcast data over a one-way, one-to-manybroadcast network. Select components of an exemplary client device aredescribed in more detail below, with reference to FIG. 8.

Exemplary Broadcast Data Server

FIG. 2 illustrates select components of an exemplary broadcast dataserver 106. Broadcast data server 106 includes a processor 202, a datacache 204 (which also serves as a data source), and memory 206.Additionally, data collectors 116 and configuration management system118 are stored in memory 206 and executed on processor 202.

Data collectors 116 receive data from data providers 104 and store thereceived data in data cache 204. In the illustrated implementation, datacollectors 116 include an ad data collector 208 for receivingadvertisement data, a video-on-demand (VOD) data collector 210 forreceiving data that describes available on-demand video titles, and anelectronic program guide (EPG) data collector 212 for receiving EPGdata. Each data collector may receive data from one or more dataproviders 104. Furthermore, data collectors 116 are not limited to addata collector 208, video-on-demand (VOD) data collector 210, and EPGdata collector 212, which are merely representative examples of specificdata collectors that may be implemented.

Configuration management system 118 includes a configuration repository214, a configuration interface 216, a region configuration filegenerator 218, and a data configuration module 220. Configurationrepository 214 stores data that defines regions, configurations, andmappings between the defined regions and configurations. An exemplaryconfiguration repository structure is described in more detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 3-5. Configuration interface 216 provides accessto configuration repository 214, providing a mechanism for systemadministrators to create and maintain region definitions, configurationdefinitions, and region/configuration mappings. In one implementation,the region definitions are typically generated by a headend (e.g., acable company), and entered into the configuration repository 214 usingthe configuration interface 216.

Region configuration file generator 218 generates, for each regiondefined in configuration repository 214, a formatted regionconfiguration file that specifies how a client device 110 canselectively receive broadcast data according to each configurationassociated with the defined region. In the described implementation,each region configuration file specifies file directory structuresassociated with each configuration. In one implementation, regionconfiguration file generator 218 is implemented as a data collector 116that gathers data from configuration repository 214 instead of from dataproviders 104.

Data configuration module 220 copies data from data source 204 (which isthe cache memory location where the data was stored when it was receivedfrom data providers 104) to data carousel 120 according to the filedirectory structures specified in each region configuration file. Afterthe data is copied to data carousel 120, the data is broadcast over OOBnetwork 114 and client devices 110 are able to selectively receive dataassociated with one of many data configurations based on a regionidentifier that is associated with each particular client device 110.For example, a particular client device may be associated with a regionidentifier that is in turn associated with multiple configurations (inconfiguration repository 214, and thus in a region configuration file).A viewer using the client device can then select one of the multipleavailable configurations, causing client device 110 to selectivelyreceive portions of broadcast data according to the selectedconfiguration. The amount of data that is broadcast is minimized by thefact that each particular piece of data is broadcast only once, eventhough a particular piece of data may be applicable to multipleconfigurations. In such an instance, multiple client devices each havinga different configuration selected may all receive the data that iscommon among the selected configurations. Region configuration files aredescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

Exemplary Configuration Repository Structure

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary structure of configuration repository214, implemented at the broadcast data server 106 of FIG. 2.Configuration repository 214 stores multiple data configurationdefinitions 302 and multiple region definitions 304. Each configurationdefinition 302 identifies data to be used by a client device 110 toselectively receive broadcast data according to the configurationdefinition. In the described implementation, each configurationdefinition 302 identifies a group of data carousel directories fromwhich data can be broadcast.

Each region definition 304 identifies a region that can be associatedwith a set of client devices. In the described implementation, eachclient device 110 is assigned a region identifier when the client deviceis provisioned by a broadcast provider. The client device regionidentifier corresponds to a region definition 304 maintained byconfiguration repository 214. A region may be defined based on ageographic region, or may be based on any other parameters. For example,a first cable company may acquire a second cable company that servicesclient devices within the same geographical region, but because theclient devices were originally serviced by different cable companies,they may be associated with different region identifiers. In analternate implementation, a region may be based on a channel lineup thatis available to a group of client devices.

Configuration repository 214 also stores region/configuration mappings306 that define which of the defined configurations 302 are available toclient devices associated with each of the defined regions 304. In anexemplary implementation, each defined configuration is identified by aconfiguration ID and each defined region is identified by a region ID.In such an implementation, region/configuration mappings 306 are definedin terms of region ID/configuration ID pairs.

Exemplary Configuration Definition Structure

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary configuration definition data structure302. In the illustrated implementation, configurations table 402 storesone record for each defined configuration. Language table 404 stores alist of valid culture names, and is used as a lookup table of validvalues for the culture name field in configurations table 402. Tagstable 406 records details associated with each defined configuration,and stores one record for each data type that may be associated with aparticular configuration. Client Type table 408 stores data thatidentifies types of client devices that may be capable of supporting oneor more configurations, and is used as a lookup table of valid valuesfor the client type ID field in tags table 406. Data types table 410stores a list of data types which may be associated with aconfiguration, and is used as a lookup table of valid values for thedata type name field in tags table 406.

Table 1 illustrates the structure of an exemplary configurations table402.

TABLE 1 FIELD NAME DESCRIPTION Configuration Unique identifier used toidentify each particular ID configuration. Configuration Descriptivename of the configuration. This name Name can be displayed to viewers ina menu of available configurations. Examples may include, English,Espanõl, Deutsch, Child Appropriate, Seattle Mariners, Baseball Child,etc. Culture Indicates a language associated with the configuration.Name In one implementation, International Organization forStandardization (ISO) language codes are used. Examples may includeen-US, es-MX, etc. In the described implementation, each culture namevalue maps to a value in language table 404.

Tags table 406 records details associated with each definedconfiguration, and stores one record for each data type that may beassociated with a particular configuration. Table 2 illustrates thestructure of an exemplary tags table 406.

TABLE 2 FIELD NAME DESCRIPTION Client Indicates a type of client devicefor which the defined Type ID tag is supported. In the describedimplementation, each client type ID value maps to a value in client typetable 408. Example client type IDs are described below with reference toclient type table 408. Configuration The unique identifier of aparticular configuration, ID and indicates which configurationdefinition the tag is associated with. Each configuration ID value mapsto a configuration ID in configurations table 402. Tag Value Specifies asource location associated with a particular data type. In the describedimplementation, the tag value specifies a directory name in datacarousel 120 where data of the type specified in this particular recordis to be stored and broadcast from. Data Type Specifies a data type thatis associated with the Name specified tag. In the describedimplementation, each data type name value maps to a value in data typestable 410. Example data types are described below with reference to datatypes table 410. Order In Stores an integer value that specifies arelative Configuration order of tags associated with the specifiedconfiguration. Source Specifies a location in data source 204 where dataof Directory the type specified is stored. For some data types, such astargeted advertisements, a source directory may not be specified, andother mechanisms may be implemented to enable the system to locate thecorresponding data.

Client type table 408 stores data that identifies types of clientdevices that may be capable of supporting one or more configurations.Table 3 illustrates the structure of an exemplary Client type table 408.

TABLE 3 FIELD NAME DESCRIPTION Client Unique identifier used to identifyeach particular Type ID type of client device. Client Stores adescriptive name of each identified client Type device type. In thedescribed implementation, the client type is based on a name and aversion associated with a client software application that isimplemented on the client device. In one implementation, the clientsoftware application is installed on the client device by a cableoperator. Example client types may include, but are not limited to,BASIC1.0 (name = “BASIC”, version = “1.0”) and IPG1.5 (name = “IPG”,version = “1.5”). A wildcard value (e.g., “*”) may be used to indicatethat a particular data tag is supported by all client types. In oneimplementation, a client device first looks for configurations in whichthe client type value matches both a name and a version associated withthe client. If none are found, the client then looks for configurationsin which the client type value matches the name associated with theclient. If none are found, the client then looks for configurations inwhich the client type value is a wildcard.

Data types table 410 stores a list of data types that may be associatedwith one or more configurations. Table 4 illustrates the structure of anexemplary data types table 410.

TABLE 4 FIELD NAME DESCRIPTION Data Type Stores the name of a data typethat may be associated Name with one or more configurations. Examplesmay include bootstrap, language, pages, ad, and so on. A data type maybe used to define any logical grouping of data. Default Stores aninteger value that indicates a priority to be Priority associated withthe designated data type. A tag type field (described below) indicateswhether a particular data type is required or optional. The defaultpriority field may be used to define a priority order of data typeswithin a particular tag type. A client device 110 may be implemented toselectively receive broadcast data according to the priority order ofdata types associated with a selected configuration. In oneimplementation, a data rate allocated on data carousel 120 to aparticular data type may be determined based on the default priorityvalue. Tag Type Stores a value that indicates a category associated withthe designated data type. Example values include MET (metadata), REQ(required), and OPT (optional). In the described implementation,metadata tags are used to identify descriptive data types, required tagsare used to identify required data types, and option tags are used toidentify optional data types.

Exemplary Region Definition Structure

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary region definition data structure 304. Inthe illustrated implementation, regions table 502 stores one record foreach defined region. OM groups table 504 stores data that identifiesgroups of out-of-band modulators (OM), each of which is configured tosend data on a specified frequency across a network. Different clientdevice types may be configured to receive data on different frequencies.By associating a region with an OM group, the same data can be broadcastover multiple frequencies, enabling each supported client device type toreceive the data. The OM groups table 504 is used as a lookup table ofvalid values for the OM group ID field in the regions table 502.

Table 5 illustrates the structure of an exemplary regions table 502.

TABLE 5 FIELD NAME DESCRIPTION Region ID Unique identifier used toidentify each particular region. In one implementation, the region ID isan integer number between 0 and 65535. OM Group Identifies a group ofout-of-band modulators that ID are configured to send data associatedwith the specified region. The values in the OM group ID field map tovalues in the OM groups table 504. Listing Identifies a channel lineupassociated with the ID defined region and matches a listing ID providedby an EPG data provider. For example, an EPG data provider may providelisting data for multiple regions (particularly geographic regions, suchas multiple time-zones). Associating a listing identifier with a regiondefinition ensures that a client device associated with the specifiedregion obtains listing data that is appropriate according to the regionassociated with the client device. OOB VCN Defines a virtual channelnumber that is associated with OOB network 114.

Table 6 illustrates the structure of an exemplary OM groups table 504.As described above, an OM group is a group of out-of-band modulatorsthat are implemented to broadcast the same data over multiplefrequencies.

TABLE 6 FIELD NAME DESCRIPTION OM Group Unique identifier used toidentify particular OM ID group. Name A unique name assigned to an OMgroup. Data Rate The total data rate that is available on OOB network114 for broadcasting data. In one implementation, the total availabledata rate may be divided among data based on the priorities assigned toeach data type. (Default Priority is described above with reference toTable 4.)

Exemplary Region Configuration File Format

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, region configuration filegenerator 218 of configuration management system 118 generates aformatted region configuration file for each region defined inconfiguration repository 214. Each formatted region configuration filespecifies a file directory structure to be implemented in data carousel120 for each configuration associated with the defined region. In oneimplementation, the region configuration file is formatted as an XMLfile. Other formats that may be used for a region configuration file mayinclude, but are not limited to, a custom flat file format. In oneimplementation, each generated region configuration file is named asxxxx.rgncfg where xxxx is a four byte hexadecimal representation of aninteger region ID associated with the region, prepended with zeros, asnecessary. In the described implementation, each xxxx.rgncfg file isstored in a \regionconfig directory in data carousel 120.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary structure of a file generated by regionconfiguration file generator 218. Region configuration file 600 isformatted according to a hierarchical structure in which a region entry602 is the root. Region entry 602 corresponds to a particular regiondefinition 304.

One or more configuration entries 604(1), 604(2), . . . , 604(N) areassociated with each region entry 602. Each configuration entry 604corresponds to a particular configuration definition 302. Furthermore,in region/configuration mappings 306, each configuration definition 302that corresponds to a configuration entry 604 is mapped to the regiondefinition 304 that corresponds to region entry 602.

Data tags based on data stored in the tags table 406 are then associatedwith each configuration entry 604. For example, metadata tags 606(1),required data tags 608(1) and optional data tags 610(1) are associatedwith configuration entry 604(1); metadata tags 606(2), required datatags 608(2) and optional data tags 610(2) are associated withconfiguration entry 604(2); and metadata tags 606(N), required data tags608(N) and optional data tags 610(N) are associated with configurationentry 604(N). The order of the tag entries associated with eachconfiguration entry is determined based on the order in configurationfield in tags table 406. The order of the tags may also determine theorder in which a client device 110 the data associated with a particularconfiguration.

Metadata tags 606 are used to specify information about each particularconfiguration. In the described implementation, metadata includes an IDand a description. The ID metadata value is stored in the tag valuefield of a record in tags table 406 in which the data type field valueis ID. In one implementation, the ID metadata is a decimal unsignedinteger between 0 and 65535, and is the same as the configuration IDfield value in the configurations table. This implementation allows aclient device to conveniently store a default configuration ID so that aviewer does not have to select a configuration every time the clientdevice is powered on. When the client device is powered off and thenback on, the last selected configuration is displayed (based on theconfiguration ID stored in memory) until a viewer selects a differentconfiguration. Storing a configuration identifier on the client deviceis also an improvement over implementations that may instead store anindex that indicates the position of a selected configuration in theregion configuration file. For example, a client device may receive aregion configuration file that lists English, Spanish, and German, inthat order, as the available configurations. If the viewer selectsSpanish, the client device may store an index value of “2”, indicatingthat the viewer selected the 2^(nd) available configuration. If theregion configuration file is later modified to contain English, French,and Spanish, in that order, then the next time the client device ispowered on, the French configuration will automatically be selectedbecause it is now the 2^(nd) available configuration. Accordingly,storing an identifier, rather than just an index, associated with aselected configuration ensures consistent configuration selection evenif the region configuration file structure changes.

In one implementation, if a configuration ID is not stored in memory(e.g., a viewer has never selected a specific configuration), the clientdevice automatically selects the first configuration listed in theregion configuration file.

The description metadata represents a string that can be presented tothe viewer in a menu of available configurations. The value of thedescription metadata corresponds to the value of the configuration namefield in configurations table 402.

Required tags 608 are used to specify data that is central to theoperation of a client device, and may vary according to client devicetype. In the described implementation, required data types include:

-   -   bootstrap    -   bootstrap_language    -   pages    -   language    -   ad    -   config    -   lcl_epg_base    -   appdisc    -   lcl_epg_ext.

Bootstrap data is that data which is necessary to support displaysassociated with basic client device functions such as channel browsing,volume display, unlocking of locked programs, and so on.

Bootstrap_language data contains resource files and language fonts usedin conjunction with the bootstrap data described above.

Pages data includes a base set of display files that the client uses,containing such things as fonts, page descriptor files, bitmaps, styledescriptor files, and so on. Pages data may also contain script files,which may be executed at load time to set environment variables,customizable strings, and so on. In one implementation, individual filesmay be concatenated into carousel blobs, which carry the extension“.blb”.

Language data contains statically displayed strings, which provide aconsistent page display layout across configurations. In one example,different strings may be loaded to display different languages. Languagedata may also contain layout overrides to be used, for example, when astring's translation into another language is too large to fit into thestandard layout, necessitating an override layout.

By dividing data among the bootstrap, bootstrap_language, pages, andlanguage data types, two important data divisions are made. First, takentogether, the data of types bootstrap and bootstrap language make up theminimal set of data necessary to provide basic functionality of a clientdevice. Taken together, the pages and language data types, make up theadditional data that may be displayed in association with otherfunctionality of the client device. Second, the bootstrap and pages datatypes both contain layout data, while the bootstrap_language andlanguage data types both contain specific text data that can bedisplayed using the layouts described by the data in the bootstrap andpages data types. If several different language configurations are madeavailable to a client device, it is likely that the layout data may bethe same, and only the actual text differs between the differentconfigurations. Accordingly, only one set of layout data needs to bebroadcast while several sets of text data needs to be broadcast. Inother words, the same bootstrap and/or pages data may be associated withmultiple configurations, each having different bootstrap_language andlanguage data. Furthermore, the layout data is typically more complexthan the text data, so being able to send only one set of layout data tosupport multiple configurations can save a considerable amount ofbandwidth.

In some situations, layout data may differ slightly across differentconfigurations, for example in a situation where a particular word orphrase in one language is significantly longer than in other languages,necessitating a larger button or text frame for the one language. Tosupport such a situation while minimizing the amount of data that isbroadcast, override layout data may be included in an appropriate textdatatype associated with a particular configuration. For example, as theclient receives data, the bootstrap data is received first (whichincludes layout data), followed by the bootstrap_language data (whichincludes text that applies to the layouts defined by the bootstrapdata). Accordingly, any layout data received in the bootstrap_languagedata overrides any layout data first received in the bootstrap data.Similarly, override layout information can be included in the languageor config data type to override layout information specified in thepages data type. As received data that is maintained by the client isre-synchronized with data that is currently being broadcast, the updatedbroadcast data is acquired in the order specified in the regionconfiguration file. However, when an application (e.g., a userinterface) requests a particular broadcast data file, the clientsearches locations associated with the data types defined in theselected configuration definition in reverse order, so as to encounteran override file before encountering the standard file, in an instancewhere the requested file exists in both a standard location (e.g.,layout data in the bootstrap data type location) and in an overridelocation (e.g., layout data in the bootstrap_languages data typelocation).

Ad data consists of a collection of advertisements. In addition, it mayalso contain an ad digest file, depending on the client device type. Anad digest file lists the advertisements that are currently available forbroadcast and data that indicates when particular advertisements shouldbe displayed. The ad digest file typically includes a title, bitmapname, and click-through data associated with each availableadvertisement. The ad digest file may be used, for example, to implementtargeted advertisement based on viewer interests. In one implementation,an ad digest for a client device of type IPG1.5 is contained in a filenamed “metadata.ads”. An ad digest for a client device of type BASIC1.0is contained in a file called “AdDigest.gz”, which is a compressed XMLfile.

Config data potentially contains anything that can be in the pages datatype, and indicates small tweaks to the overall pages directory. Forexample, config data may include an override bitmap to be loaded fordisplay in place of a default bitmap on a menu page. A local helpdesknumber is another example of data that may be included using configdata.

Lcl_epg_base data includes basic EPG data. In one implementation,lcl_epg_base contains two directories, data00 and data01, while data00contains detailed EPG data for the current time slice. Data01 containsless detailed EPG data for the next time slice. In one implementation, atime slice is defined as a 12 hour period, but it is recognized that anysegment of time may be implemented as a time slice. Files stored in thedata00 and data01 directories are in a format that is understood by anEPG application implemented in the client device. The contents of bothof these directories are preferably small enough for any client devicetype assigned to this region to store. In one implementation, the sizesof the data00 and data01 directories are configurable.

The appdisc data type can be used to communicate an application andservices catalog. The application and services catalog containsinformation that describes additional applications and services that maybe available for a client device to download. In the describedimplementation, the appdisc data type can be targeted for specificclient types based, for example on name/version, name, or “*” (toindicate applicability to all client types). (Client type is describedabove with reference to Table 3.)

In one implementation, required data types may also be further groupedaccording to how the different data types are related. For example, thebootstrap and bootstrap_language data types may be grouped together andthe pages and language data types may be grouped together. As a clientreceives data, no data of a particular data type will be displayed untilall of the data in the same group is also successfully received. Forexample, if a client receives bootstrap data, but does not receivebootstrap language data, then page layouts may be displayed, but theywould have no text, and would thus be useless. By grouping related datatypes, the client is ensured of receiving all necessary data beforeattempting to display any of the received data. In one implementation,data type groups may be defined in terms of how the data types arenamed. For example, all data types that begin with “bootstrap” may beconsidered one group. In an alternate implementation, a group ID fieldmay be added to tags table 406 and to each entry in the regionconfiguration file, identifying which group each data type belongs to.

Optional tags 610 are used to specify data that can be optionallydownloaded by a client device as resources allow. In the describedimplementation, optional data includes extended EPG listing data (datatype lcl_epg_ext), which contains some number of subdirectories,numbered data02-dataYY, where YY is the highest numbered directory,formatted as a two-digit decimal number. Client devices with sufficientmemory available may selectively receive data from these directoriesafter receiving all other types of data on startup, and/or when a changein guide data is detected. Each higher-numbered directory contains EPGdata associated with a later time slice. The client device continuesreading data from subsequent directories until the client device reachesa specified memory limit or has read all of the directories.

An example region configuration file may be formatted as follows:

<rgn>  <cfg>   <met name=“id” ver=“*” val=“1”/>   <metname=“description” ver=“*” val=“English”/>   <req name=“bootstrap”ver=“IPG” val=“ipg_en_bootstrap”/>   <req name=“bootstrap” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_en_bootstrap”/>   <req name=“bootstrap_language” ver=“*”  val=“bootstrap_en_US”/>   <req name=“pages” ver=“IPG”val=“ipg_en_pages”/>   <req name=“pages” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_en_pages/>   <req name=“config” ver=“IPG”val=“ipg_en_contig”/>   <req name=“config” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_en_config”/>   <req name=“language” ver=“*” val=“en_US”/>  <req name=“lcl_epg_base” ver=“*” val=“english_baseguide”/>   <reqname=“ad” ver=“IPG” val=“ipg_en_ads”/>   <req name=“ad” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_en_ads”/>   <req name=“appdisc” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_appdisc”/>   <opt name=“lcl_epg_ext” ver=“*”val=“english_extguide”/>  </cfg>  <cfg>   <met name=“id” ver=“*”val=“2”/>   <met name=“description” ver=“*” val=“Espanõl”/>   <reqname=“bootstrap” ver=“IPG” val=“ipg_es_bootstrap”/>   <reqname=“bootstrap” ver=“Basic” val=“basic_es_bootstrap”/>   <reqname=“bootstrap_language” ver=“*”   val=“bootstrap_sp-MX”/>   <reqname=“pages” ver=“IPG” val=“ipg_es_pages”/>   <req name=“pages”ver=“Basic” val=“basic_es_pages”/>   <req name=“config” ver=“IPG”val=“ipg_es_config”/>   <req name=“config” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_es_config”/>   <req name=“language” ver=“*” val=“sp-MX”/>  <req name=“lcl_epg_base” ver=“*” val=“spanish_baseguide”/>   <reqname=“ad” ver=“IPG” val=“ipq_sp_ads”/>   <req name=“ad” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_sp_ads”/>   <req name=“appdisc” ver=“Basic”val=“basic_appdisc”/>   <opt name=“lcl_epg_ext” ver=“*”val=“Spanish_extguide”/>  </cfg> </rgn>

The <rgn> tag indicates the beginning of a region definition, and the</rgn> tag indicates the end of a region definition. Each <cfg> and</cfg> tag pair indicates the beginning and end of a configurationdefinition.

Each tag between a <cfg> and </cfg> tag pair corresponds to a record inthe tags table 406 and has the following format:

<tag type name=“data type name” ver=“client type” val=“tag value”> where“tag type” is the tag type field value of the corresponding record indata types table 410; “data type name” is the data type name field valueof the corresponding record in tags table 406; “client type” is theclient type field value of the corresponding record in client type table408; and “tag value” is the tag value field value of the correspondingrecord in tags table 406. The order of the tag entries between a <cfg>and </cfg> tag pair may be determined based on the values of the orderin configuration fields of each tag record in tags table 406.

In the described implementation, each data type and value specified inthe region configuration file corresponds to a directory in the datacarousel 120. Accordingly, the example region configuration file shownand described above assumes the following directory structure on datacarousel 120:

/  regionconfig  bootstrap   ipg_en_bootstrap   basic_en_bootstrap  ipg_es_bootstap  bootstrap_language   bootstrap_en-US  bootstrap_sp-MX  pages   ipg_en_pages   basic_en_pages   ipg_es_pages config   ipg_en_config   basic_en_config   ipg_es_config  language  en-US   sp-MX  appdisc   basic_appdisc  ad   ipg_en_ads   basic_en_ads  ipg_sp_ads   basic_sp_ads  lcl_epg_bas   english_baseguide  spanish_baseguide  lcl_epg_ext   english_extguide   spanish_extguide

Method for Enabling Broadcast of Multiple Data Configurations

As described above, broadcast data server 106 maintains multiple dataconfiguration definitions and provides those definitions to headendsystem 108 for broadcast to multiple client devices 110. Each clientdevice 110 is associated with a region, and broadcast data server 106maintains mappings of the configuration definitions to the regions, sothat client devices associated with different regions may have access todifferent combinations of data configurations.

Enabling broadcast of multiple data configurations as performed bybroadcast data server 106 may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as application modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, application modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Abroadcast data server that enables a headend to broadcast multiple dataconfigurations may be implemented using any number of programmingtechniques and may be implemented in local computing environments or indistributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through various communicationsnetworks based on any number of communication protocols. In such adistributed computing environment, application modules may be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for enabling broadcast of multiple dataconfigurations. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 7 will be described withreference to components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

At block 702, broadcast data server 106 receives and stores broadcastdata. For example, data collectors 116 gather data from data providers104 and store the data in data cache 204. The gathered data may include,but is not limited to, advertisements, VOD data, and EPG data.

At block 704, broadcast data server 106 receives and stores one or moreconfiguration definitions. In the described implementation,configuration definitions are submitted by a system administratorthrough configuration interface 216 and stored in configurationrepository 214.

At block 706, broadcast data server 106 receives and stores one or moreregion definitions. In the described implementation, region definitionsare submitted by headend 108 through configuration interface 216 orthrough an initialization process that establishes a relationshipbetween broadcast data server 106 and headend 108. The regiondefinitions are stored in configuration repository 214.

At block 708, broadcast data server 106 receives region/configurationmappings and stores the mappings in configuration repository 214. Atblock 710, region configuration file generator 216 generates a regionconfiguration file for each region definition stored in configurationrepository 214. In the described implementation, each regionconfiguration file identifies one or more configurations associated witha region and includes formatted XML tags that indicate data carousel 120directories from which data associated with each configuration can bedownloaded. The region configuration files are written to a directorylocation on data carousel 120 where they can be downloaded by clientdevices 110.

At block 712, data configuration module 220 copies the data that wasreceived from data providers 104 and stored in data cache 204 intodirectories on data carousel 120, based on the defined dataconfigurations stored in configuration repository 214.

Although illustrated sequentially, the operations shown in FIG. 7 do notnecessarily execute in the order shown. For example, configurationdefinitions, region definitions, and region/configuration mappings maybe established first, followed by numerous iterations of gathering dataand copying data to the data carousel.

Exemplary Client Device

FIG. 8 illustrates select components of exemplary client device 110shown in FIG. 1. Client device 110 includes tuners 802, which arerepresentative of one or more in-band tuners that tune to variousfrequencies or channels to receive television broadcast signals, as wellas another tuner that may be configured to tune to a broadcast channelcorresponding to OOB network 114 over which the data stored in datacarousel 120 is broadcast. Alternatively, tuners 802 may represent asingle tuner that is configured to simultaneously receive multiple datastreams (including both program content and broadcast data) over asingle channel.

Client device 110 also includes one or more processors 804 that processvarious instructions to control the operation of client device 110 andto communicate with other electronic and computing devices. Clientdevice 110 can be implemented with one or more computer-readable memorycomponents, examples of which include a random access memory (RAM) 806,a disk drive 808, a mass storage component 810, and a non-volatilememory 812 (e.g., ROM, Flash, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). The memorycomponents (e.g., RAM 806, disk drive 808, storage media 810, andnon-volatile memory 812) store various information and/or data such asreceived content, EPG data, configuration information for client device110, and/or graphical user interface information. Non-volatile memory812 is also configured to maintain an identifier associated with thelast selected configuration definition so that the same configurationcan be selected if the client device 110 is powered off and back onagain.

Alternative implementations of client device 110 can include a range ofprocessing and memory capabilities, and may include more or fewer typesof memory components than those illustrated in FIG. 8. For example,full-resource clients can be implemented with substantial memory andprocessing resources, including the disk drive 808 to store content forreplay by the viewer. Low-resource clients, however, may have limitedprocessing and memory capabilities, such as a limited amount of RAM 806,no disk drive 808, and limited processing capabilities of processor 804.

An operating system 814 and one or more application programs 816 may bestored in non-volatile memory 812 and executed on processor 804 toprovide a runtime environment. A runtime environment facilitatesextensibility of client device 110 by allowing various interfaces to bedefined that, in turn, allow application programs 816 to interact withclient device 110.

One-way broadcast carousel file system (BCFS) 815 is configured tointeract with OOB network 114 to synchronize data maintained by clientdevice 110 with data that is being broadcast over OOB network 114. Asillustrated, BCFS 815 is implemented as a software application that isstored in non-volatile memory 812 and executed on processor 804.Alternatively, (BCFS) 815 may also be implemented as one or morehardware components or as part of operating system 814. In eachparticular implementation, BCFS 815 is associated with (or is at leastconfigured according to) the particular data carousel 120 from which theclient device 110 receives broadcast data.

BCFS 815 is typically configured to perform a seek directory operation,a seek file operation, a sync directory operation, and a sync fileoperation. Alternatively, BCFS 815 may be configured to perform morebasic operations, and the operations listed above are available throughan interface to BCFS 815 implemented, for example, as part of operatingsystem 814.

The seek directory operation is called (with a directory as a parameter)to determine whether data associated with a particular local directoryis synchronized with data being broadcast over OOB network 114 from adirectory of the same name on data carousel 120. The seek directoryoperation returns an indicator of whether or not the specified localdirectory is synchronized with the directory being broadcast and a sizeof the data that is being broadcast from the specified directory (e.g.,in bytes).

The seek file operation is called (with a file name as a parameter) todetermine whether a locally maintained copy of the particular file issynchronized with the same file being broadcast over OOB network 114.The seek file operation returns an indicator of whether or not thespecified file is being broadcast, an indicator of whether or not thelocally maintained version of the file matches a copy of the file thatis currently being broadcast, and a file size associated with the filethat is being broadcast (e.g., in bytes).

The sync directory operation is called (with a directory as a parameter)to synchronize data associated with a particular local directory withdata being broadcast over OOB network 114 from a directory of the samename on data carousel 120. The sync directory operation deletes anylocal data in the specified directory, and acquires the data that isbeing broadcast from the specified directory.

The sync file operation is called (with a file name as a parameter) toacquire a file of the specified name that is currently being broadcastover OOB network 114.

In the illustrated example client device 110, an EPG application 818 isalso stored in memory 812 to operate on received EPG data and generate aprogram guide. The application programs 816 that may be implemented atclient device 110 can include a browser to browse the Web (e.g., “WorldWide Web”), an email program to facilitate electronic mail, and so on. Auser interface component 820 is also stored in memory 812 and executedon processor 804 to provide user interaction with the client device.

Client device 110 also includes data configuration module 822 stored inmemory 812 and executed on processor 804. Data configuration module 822includes a client object 824 and multiple task objects 826. Clientobject 824 is responsible for obtaining the appropriate regionconfiguration file, scheduling the order in which task objects 826should be serviced and revisited, making available the details of theselected configuration to task objects 826 and to user interface 820(and possibly application programs 816 and/or EPG application 818), andverifying over time that the region configuration file has not changed.Each task object 826 is responsible for obtaining data for a particulardata type associated with a selected configuration by issuingasynchronous commands to BCFS 815 to obtain the data. In the describedimplementation, client object 824 and task objects 826 are implementedas state machines, and are each discussed in further detail below. It isalso recognized that a data configuration module may be implemented inany number of ways to provide similar functionality, and the describedimplementation is merely one example of such a data configurationmodule.

Client device 110 may be implemented to include other componentspertaining to a television entertainment system which are notillustrated in this example. For instance, client device 110 can includeuser interface lights, buttons, controls, and the like to facilitateadditional viewer interaction with the device.

Illustrated client device 110 also includes a decoder 828 to decode abroadcast video signal, such as an NTSC, PAL, SECAM or other TV systemvideo signal. Client device 110 may also include any combination of awireless interface 830, a network interface 832, a serial and/orparallel interface 834, and a modem 836. Wireless interface 830 allowsclient device 110 to receive input commands and other information from auser-operated input device, such as from a remote control device or fromanother IR, Bluetooth, or similar RF input device.

Network interface 832 and serial and/or parallel interface 834 allowclient device 110 to interact and communicate with other electronic andcomputing devices via various communication links. Although not shown,client device 110 may also include other types of data communicationinterfaces to communicate with other devices. Modem 836 facilitatesclient device 110 communication with other electronic and computingdevices via a conventional telephone line.

Client device 110 also includes an audio output 838 and a video output840 that provide signals to a television or other device that canprocess, present, or otherwise render audio and video data. Althoughshown separately, some of the components of client device 110 may beimplemented in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).Additionally, a system bus (not shown) typically connects the variouscomponents within client device 110. A system bus can be implemented asone or more of any of several types of bus structures, including amemory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an acceleratedgraphics port, or a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, such architectures can include anIndustry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture(MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics StandardsAssociation (VESA) local bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects(PCI) bus also known as a Mezzanine bus.

Method for Enabling Viewer Selection of a Data Configuration

As described above, client device 110 receives broadcast programs andassociated broadcast data from headend 108. In addition, client device110 receives a broadcast region configuration file that indicates one ormore data configurations that are available to the client device basedon a region identifier. Client device 110 is configured to present alist of available data configurations to a viewer through a userinterface, and selectively receive the broadcast data according to aviewer-selected data configuration.

Enabling viewer selection of a data configuration as performed by clientdevice 110 may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as application modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, application modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. A clientdevice that is configured to selectively receive broadcast dataaccording to any one of multiple data configurations may be implementedusing any number of programming techniques and may be implemented inlocal computing environments or in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough various communications networks based on any number ofcommunication protocols. In such a distributed computing environment,application modules may be located in both local and remote computerstorage media including memory storage devices.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method 900 for enabling viewer selection of one ofmultiple data configurations and selectively receiving broadcast dataaccording to the selected data configurations. For illustrativepurposes, FIG. 9 will be described with reference to componentsillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8.

At block 902, client device 110 acquires a region configuration filethat is appropriate for the particular client device. For example, inone implementation, each region configuration file is named based on aregion identifier that is also associated with multiple client devices.When headend 108 broadcasts the region configuration files, eachparticular client device acquires the region configuration file whosename is based on a region identifier associated with the client device.As described above, the region identifier associated with the clientdevice may be assigned in any number of ways, including when the clientdevice is manufactured, or by a cable provider during a client devicesetup process.

At block 904, client device 110 selects a configuration from thereceived region configuration file. The configuration may be selectedbased on a previously selected configuration or a default configuration(e.g., the first configuration listed in the region configuration file)may be selected. An exemplary method for selecting an initialconfiguration is described in more detail below with reference to FIG.15.

At block 906, client device 110 begins selectively receiving data beingbroadcast from data carousel 120 according to the initially selectedconfiguration definition in the region configuration file. Client device110 acquires data that is broadcast from file directories on datacarousel 120 in the order specified in the region configuration file.

At block 908, client device 110 displays a list of available dataconfigurations that are available, based on the received regionconfiguration file. For example, in response to a viewer request, userinterface 820 displays a list of values from the region configurationfile that correspond to the configuration name field in theconfigurations table in configuration repository 214.

At block 910, client device 110 receives (through user interface 820) aviewer selection of a configuration. An exemplary method for switchingto a viewer-selected configuration is described below with reference toFIG. 21.

At block 912, client device 110 selectively receives data beingbroadcast from data carousel 120 according to the viewer-selectedconfiguration definition in the region configuration file. Client device110 acquires data that is broadcast from file directories on datacarousel 120 in the order specified in the region configuration file.The acquired data provides client device 110 with a sufficient data setfor displaying data according to the selected configuration.

Client device 110 operation may continue at block 908, as describedabove, in an event that another viewer request to select a configurationis received.

Client device 110 operation may continue at block 902, as describedabove, in an event that the region identifier associated with clientdevice 110 changes or in an even that the broadcast region configurationfile that is appropriate for client device 110 is modified.

Exemplary Client Object Implementation

FIG. 10 illustrates select components of client object 824. As describedabove, client object 824 is responsible for obtaining the appropriateregion configuration file, scheduling the order in which task objects826 are to be serviced and revisited, verifying over time that theregion configuration file has not changed and that the region identifierassociated with client device 110 has not changed, and making details ofthe selected configuration available to task objects 826, user interface820, application programs 816, and/or EPG application 818. In anexemplary implementation, client object 824 is implemented as a statemachine.

Client object 824 includes states 1002, task list 1004, operations 1006,application programming interface (API) functions 1008, a task idletimer 1010, and a region idle timer 1012. Client object 824 transitionsbetween states 1002 according to functions that it performs. Clientobject 824 state transition is described in more detail below, withreference to FIG. 12.

Task list 1004 is an ordered list of task objects 826 maintained byclient object 824 to facilitate execution of functions associated withtask objects 826 based on the order of the task objects in task list1004. The order of the task objects in task list 1004 is based on a nextactivity time property of each task object 826, which is described inmore detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

Operations 1006 is a basic set of operations that allow client object824 to navigate between task objects 826 and perform operationsassociated therewith. Operations 1006 may include, but are not limitedto, select configuration 1014, prepare task list 1016, get first task1018, and invalidate all 1020. Select configuration 1014 is executed byclient object 824 to determine a default or previously selectedconfiguration. An exemplary select configuration operation 1014 isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 15.

Prepare task list 1016 is executed by client object 824 to initializetask list 1004. An exemplary prepare task list operation 1016 isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 20.

Get first task 1018 is executed by client object 824 to determine thenext task to be executed. An exemplary get first task operation 1018 isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 22.

Invalidate all 1020 is executed by client object 824 to invalidate eachtask object in task list 1004 when either the client device regionidentifier changes (e.g., a new region identifier is received from theheadend) or when current region configuration file changes. An exemplaryinvalidate all operation 1020 is described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 23.

Application programming interface (API) functions 1008 may be calledfrom outside of client object 824. Select API calls 1008 may include,but are not limited to add task 1022, choose configuration 1024, findspecific file 1026, and find file in default path 1028.

A call to add task 1022 causes client object 824 to create a new taskobject invalidate each task object 826. An exemplary add task function1022 is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 13.

A call to choose configuration 1024 causes client object 824 to updatetask list 1004 upon viewer selection of an available configuration. Anexemplary choose configuration function 1024 is described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 21.

A call to find specific file 1026 causes client object 824 to locate aspecified file associated with a specified data type. An exemplary findspecific file function 1026 is described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 37.

A call to find file in default path 1028 causes client object 824 tolocate a specified file by searching in reverse order through the datatypes associated with the currently selected configuration. An exemplaryfind file in default path function 1028 is described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 38.

Task idle timer 1010 is used by client object 824 to determine when toexecute a task object 826. Task idle timer 1010 is reset according tothe current state and what tasks are currently being executed. The useof task idle timer 1010 is described in more detail below with referenceto task execution.

Region idle timer 1012 is used by client object 825 to determine when toverify that the current region configuration file is still synchronizedwith the current broadcast region configuration file and when to checkthe client device region identifier to determine whether or not it haschanged.

Exemplary Task Object Implementation

FIG. 11 illustrates select components of an exemplary task object 826.As described above, each task object 826 is responsible for obtainingdata for a particular data type associated with the selectedconfiguration by issuing asynchronous commands to BCFS 815 to obtain thedata. In an exemplary implementation, task object 826 is implemented asa state machine, and has multiple properties 1102, multiple states 1104,and multiple operations 1106.

Properties 1102 are the components that define a particular task object826. Properties 1102 may include, but are not limited to:

-   -   user task flag;    -   data type;    -   files to synchronize;    -   re-check interval;    -   next activity time;    -   handler function;    -   handler function argument;    -   data size limit;    -   in default path flag;    -   subdirs flag;    -   files flag;    -   last synced data type location;    -   directory index; and    -   directory count.

The user task flag property indicates whether or not the task object isa user task (described below with reference to FIG. 12). The data typeproperty stores the name of the data type with which the task object isassociated. The files to synchronize property specifies a set of filesassociated with the specified data type that are to be selectivelyreceived using the defined task object. The re-check interval propertyspecifies a how often the data should be checked for change. The nextactivity time property is used to indicate intervals at which operationsassociated with a task object are to be executed. The handler functionproperty stores a pointer to a handler function associated with taskobject 826. The handler function argument property stores an argument tobe passed to the handler function when it is called. The data size limitproperty specifies the maximum data size to be held for the specifieddata type. The in default path flag property indicates whether or notdata associated with the specified data type is to be included in asearch that is initiated by an API call to the find file in default pathfunction 1028. The subdirs flag property is used to indicate that thelocation from which data of the specified data type is broadcastincludes subdirectories. The files flag property is used to indicatethat the location from which data of the specified data type isbroadcast includes files. (The subdirs flag property and the files flagproperty are mutually exclusive.) The last synced data type locationstores the value from the tag in the region configuration file thatspecifies the location from which data associated with the task objectis broadcast. The last synced data type location value is used todetermine whether or not a data type needs to be re-synchronized when anew configuration is selected. The directory index property stores aninteger that indicates which subdirectory is currently being operatedon. The directory count property stores an integer that indicates thenumber of directories that have currently been synchronized. Use of thedirectory index and directory count properties is described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 34.

States 1104 represent multiple states that task object 826 (implementedas a state machine) may be in at a given time. Each task object 826transitions between states 1104 according to functions that it performs.Task object state transition is described in more detail below, withreference to FIGS. 24 and 28.

Operations 1106 represent operations that may be performed by or inreference to a particular task object 826. Operations 1106 may include,but are not limited to, reset 1108, shelve 1110, check invalidate 1112,and default dir list maintenance 1114.

Reset operation 1108 is performed when the state of a task objectchanges and data acquisition for the data type associated with the taskis to be restarted from the beginning. An exemplary reset operation 1108is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 34.

Shelve operation 1110 is performed when a task has been created by auser (i.e., a user task), but is not used by the currently selectedconfiguration. An exemplary shelve operation 110 is described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 35.

Check invalidate operation 1112 is performed to clear from task list1010, a task object 826 that is not associated with a newly selectedconfiguration. An exemplary check invalidate operation 1112 is describedin more detail below with reference to FIG. 36.

Default directory list maintenance operation 1114 is performed when anew directory in the default path is synchronized or has its contentsdeleted. For example, when a task object is synchronized, task object826 may check to see if the data type associated with the task belongsto a data type group. If so, a list of which data type groups areavailable may be updated (based on whether or not all of the data typesin the group are synchronized). If all of the data associated with aparticular data type group is found to be synchronized, then a set ofinitialization operations may be performed to prepare the data to beaccessed. For example, a script file received in association with aparticular data type may be executed during the initialization. Suchscript files may be used to, for example, enable a set of fonts. Anotherexample initialization that may be performed is the generation of anordered list of resource files. Resource files that are received maycontain specific text strings to be displayed according to a definedlayout. In one implementation, the list of resource files is orderedbased on the order of data types specified in the region configurationfile. When a string value is requested, the resource files can besearched in reverse order to ensure that the last received data issearched first. (This allows data types specified later in theconfiguration definition to contain data that overrides data associatedwith a data type listed earlier in the configuration definition.)

Exemplary Client Object State Transition

FIG. 12 illustrates transitions between states 1002 of client object824. When data configuration module 822 is initiated, client object 824enters adding tasks state 1202. While client object 824 is in the addingtasks state 1202, other software applications or components may call anadd task API (described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 13)to create customized task objects 826. The tasks that are created whileclient object 824 is in adding tasks state 1202 are known as user tasks.User tasks are typically created by applications such as EPG application818 to specify how data that is received that applies specifically tothe creating application is to be handled. Advertisement data is anotherexample data type that may typically by handled by a user task.

After any user tasks are added, client object 824 enters getting regionconfig file state 1204. During this state, an appropriate broadcastregion configuration file is acquired and a configuration is selected,as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 14.

After acquiring a region configuration file and selecting aconfiguration, client object 824 then enters and remains in main state1206 until a new region identifier is assigned to client device 110 or anew region configuration file is detected. While in main state 1206,client object 824 manages task objects 826, as described in more detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 16-19.

Exemplary Client Object Add Task API Function

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary add task method 1022 that may beperformed by client object 824 in response to an API call to create anew task object 826.

In the described implementation, arguments that may be passed to addtask method 1022 include:

-   -   data type;    -   files to synchronize;    -   re-check interval;    -   handler function;    -   handler function argument;    -   data size limit;    -   in default path flag;    -   subdirs flag; and    -   files flag.

The data type value indicates a data type that the task is associatedwith. This value corresponds to the name entry in a tag that may existin the region configuration file.

The files to synchronize value specifies a set of files associated withthe specified data type that are to be selectively received using thedefined task object. In one implementation, a wildcard value (e.g., “*”)can be used to indicate that all files associated with the specifieddata type are to be synchronized.

The re-check interval value specifies a how often the data should bechecked for change. In one implementation, the argument is an integervalue that specifies a number of seconds between each data check. Anegative value may be used to indicate that the data is only to bechecked once, and a positive value may be used to indicate the number ofseconds to wait after a successful sync operation before re-checking thedata.

The handler function value stores a pointer to another function that isto be associated with the created task object. In an exemplaryimplementation, handler functions are call-back functions that are usedwhen special data handling is desired. For example, a handler functionmay be implemented in association with a task object that is responsiblefor EPG data. The handler function may be responsible for controllingwhat actions are taken when it is discovered that the local EPG data isnot synchronized with the currently broadcast EPG data. Becauseout-of-date EPG data is useless to a viewer, the handler function maycause the out-of-date EPG data to be deleted regardless of whether ornot updated EPG data has been successfully received. Similarly, ahandler function may be implemented in association with a task objectthat is responsible for advertising data. In this scenario, becauseout-of-date advertisements may still be relevant to a viewer, thehandler function may cause out-of-date advertisement data to bemaintained until updated data is successfully received.

The handler function argument stores an argument that is to be passed tothe specified handler function.

The data size limit value specifies the maximum data size to be held forthe specified data type. This argument can be used to ensure that clientdevice memory resources are not consumed with extraneous data.

The in default path flag property indicates whether or not dataassociated with the specified data type is to be included in a searchthat is initiated by an API call to the find file in default pathfunction 1028.

The subdirs flag property is used to indicate that the location fromwhich data of the specified data type is broadcast includessubdirectories.

The files flag property is used to indicate that the location from whichdata of the specified data type is broadcast includes files. (Thesubdirs flag property and the files flag property are mutuallyexclusive.)

At block 1302, client object 824 compares the received data typeargument with the task objects 826 currently in task list 1004 todetermine if there is already a task object 826 for the specified datatype. If an existing task object 826 is found for the specified datatype (the “Yes” branch from block 1302), then at block 1304, add task1022 returns an error. Otherwise (the “No” branch from block 1302), addtask 1022 continues at block 1306.

At block 1306, client object 824 creates a new task object 826 based onthe received parameters.

At block 1308, client object 824 adds the new task object 826 to tasklist 1004.

At block 1310, client object 824 sets the new task object's nextactivity time property to the current time so that the task will be acandidate for processing the next time that task idle timer 1010signals.

Exemplary Client Object Getting Region Config File State

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary method 1400 performed by client object824 while in getting region config file state 1204.

At block 1402, client object 824 constructs a region configuration filename based on a region identifier associated with client device 110. Forexample, in one implementation, the region identifier associated with aclient device is an integer number between 0 and 65535 and regionconfiguration files are named “xxxx.rgncfg” where “xxxx” is a four bytehexadecimal representation of the region identifier, prepended withzeros as needed. Accordingly, in such an implementation, client object824 constructs a region configuration file name by converting the regionidentifier associated with the client device to a four-digit hexadecimalvalue, appended with the string, “.rgncfg”.

At block 1404, client object 824 issues a sync file call to BCFS 815,passing the constructed region configuration file name as a parameter.

At block 1406, client object 824 determines whether or not the requestedregion configuration file has been received. If the region configurationfile has not been received (the “No” branch from block 1406), thenclient object 824 re-issues the sync file call at block 1404.

At block 1408, when the region configuration file is successfullyacquired (the “Yes” branch from block 1406), client object 824 selects aconfiguration that is specified in the received region configurationfile by executing select configuration operation 1014 (described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 15).

At block 1410, client object 824 sets the client object region idletimer 1012 to a future time (e.g., 10 minutes from the current time).

At block 1412, client object 824 sets the task idle timer 1010 to thecurrent time so that the first task in task list 1004 will be executedas soon as possible.

At block 1414, client object 824 enters main state 1206. Operationsperformed by client object 824 while in main state 1206 are described inmore detail below with reference to FIG. 16.

Exemplary Client Object Select Configuration Operation

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary select configuration operation 1014that may be performed by client object 824. Select configuration 1014 isperformed by client object 824 while in getting region config file state1204, after an appropriate region configuration file has been receivedto make an initial configuration selection.

At block 1502, client object 824 identifies a list of availableconfigurations according to the received region configuration file.

At block 1504, client object 824 determines whether or not aconfiguration value, which indicates a previous viewer-selectedconfiguration, is stored in memory. In the described implementation, theclient device region identifier and a configuration identifier arestored together as a configuration value when a viewer selects aconfiguration. In this way, client object 824 does not attempt toselectively receive data based on an invalid configuration in an eventthat the region identifier associated with the client device changes orif a previously selected configuration is no longer available. If it isdetermined that there is no configuration value stored in memory (the“No” branch from block 1504), then select configuration 1014 continuesat block 1512. Otherwise (the “Yes” branch from block 1504), selectconfiguration 1014 continues at block 1506.

At block 1506, client object 824 determines whether or not the regionidentifier stored as part of the stored configuration value matches theregion identifier currently associated with the client device. If it isdetermined that the stored region identifier does not match the currentclient device region identifier (the “No” branch from block 1506), thenselect configuration 1014 continues at block 1512. Otherwise (the “Yes”branch from block 1506), select configuration 1014 continues at block1508.

At block 1508, client object 824 determines whether the storedconfiguration identifier matches a configuration identifier in thereceived region configuration file. If it is determined that the storedconfiguration identifier does not match an available configuration (the“No” branch from block 1508), then select configuration 1014 continuesat block 1512, described below. Otherwise (the “Yes” branch from block1508), select configuration 1014 continues at block 1510.

At block 1510, client object 824 selects as the current configuration,the configuration definition in the received region configuration filethat matches the stored configuration identifier.

At block 1512, if it is determined that a valid configuration value isnot stored (the “No” branch from any of blocks 1504, 1506, or 1508),client object 824 selects as the current configuration, the firstconfiguration listed in the received region configuration file.

Exemplary Client Object Main State

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate an exemplary method 1600 performed by clientobject 824 while in main state 1206.

At block 1602, client object 824 executes prepare task list operation1016 to initialize task list 1004 according to the currently selectedconfiguration. An exemplary prepare task list operation 1016 isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 20.

At block 1604, client object 824 determines whether or not task idletimer 1010 has signaled. If task idle timer 1010 has signaled (the “Yes”branch from block 1604), then main state processing continues at step1606, described below with reference to FIG. 17.

At block 1608, client object 824 determines whether or not it hasreceived a response from BCFS 815. If client object 824 has received aresponse from BCFS 815 (the “Yes” branch from block 1608), then mainstate processing continues at step 1610, described below with referenceto FIG. 18.

At block 1612, client object 824 determines whether or not region idletimer 1012 has signaled. If region idle timer 1012 has signaled (the“Yes” branch from block 1612), then main state processing continues atstep 1614, described below with reference to FIG. 19.

At block 1616, client object 824 determines whether or not an API callto choose configuration 1024 has been received. If an API call to chooseconfiguration 1024 has been received (the “Yes” branch from block 1616),then main state processing continues at step 1618.

Main state processing continues until one of the above-describedconditions is met.

At block 1618, client object 824 executes choose configuration 1024, asdescribed below with reference to FIG. 21.

At block 1620, client object 824 re-enters main state 1206.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary method 1700 performed by client object824 while in main state 1206, in response to a signal from task idletimer 1010.

At block 1702, client object 824 executes get first task operation 1018to determine the next task object 826 to call. An exemplary get firsttask operation 1018 is described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 22.

At block 1704, client object 824 examines the next activity timeproperty of the first task object 826 in task list 1004. If the nextactivity time is equal to or before the current time (the “No” branchfrom block 1704), then at block 1706, client device 824 sets task idletimer 1010 to signal at a time equal to the next activity time propertyof the first task object in task list 1004. Main state processing thencontinues at block 1710.

At block 1708, client object 824 calls the first task object 826 in tasklist 1004, causing the task object to execute.

At block 1710, client object 824 re-enters main state 1206.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary method 1800 performed by client object824 while in main state 1206, when a response is received from BCFS 815.

At block 1802, client object 824 forwards the received BCFS response tothe first task object in task list 1004.

At block 1804, client object 824 receives a response from the taskobject.

At block 1806, client object 824 determines whether the response fromthe task object indicates that the task is synced. If the task is synced(the “Yes” branch from block 1806), then at block 1808, the task object826 is pushed to the end of task list 1004.

At block 1810, client object 824 determines whether the response fromthe task object indicates that the task operation executed successfully.If the response indicates success (the “Yes” branch from block 1810),then at block 1812, client object 824 sets task idle timer 1010 to thecurrent time.

Otherwise, if the response indicates failure (the “No” branch from block1810), then at block 1814, client object 824 sets task idle timer 1010to an upcoming future time (e.g., five seconds from the current time).

At block 1816, client object 824 re-enters main state 1206.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary method 1900 performed by client object824 while in main state 1206, in response to a signal from region idletimer 1012.

At block 1902, client object 824 determines whether or not the clientdevice region identifier has changed since the current configuration wasselected. In one implementation, client object 824 compares the currentclient device region identifier to a region identifier portion of astored configuration value associated with the currently selectedconfiguration. If the client device region identifier has changed (the“Yes” branch from block 1902), main state processing continues at block1910.

At block 1904, client object 824 determines whether or not the currentregion configuration file is synchronized with the region configurationfile of the same name that is currently being broadcast. If the regionconfiguration file is not synchronized (the “No” branch from block1904), main state processing continues at block 1910.

At block 1906, client object 824 sets region idle timer 1012 equal to afuture time (e.g., 10 minutes from the current time).

At block 1908, client object 824 re-enters main state 1206.

If a discrepancy is found with either the client device regionidentifier (the “Yes” branch from block 1902) or the regionconfiguration file (the “No” branch from block 1904), then at block1910, client object 824 executes an invalidate all operation 1020 toprevent the task objects currently in task list 1004 from executing. Anexemplary invalidate all operation 1020 is described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 23.

At block 1912, client object 824 enters getting region config file state1204.

Exemplary Client Object Prepare Task List Operation

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary prepare task list operation 1016 thatmay be performed by client object 824. Prepare task list 1016 isperformed by client object 824 while in the getting region config filestate 1204 to initialize task list 1004 based on the currently selectedconfiguration.

At block 2002, client object 824 identifies the first non-meta tagassociated with the currently selected configuration in the regionconfiguration file.

At block 2004, client object 824 examines task list 1004 to determinewhether or not there exists a task object 826 associated with the datatype indicated by the non-meta tag identified at block 2002. If there isnot a matching task in task list 1004 (the “No” branch from block 2004),prepare task list 1016 continues at block 2006. Otherwise, if there is amatching task in task list 1004 (the “Yes” branch from block 2006),prepare task list 1016 continues at block 2010, described below.

At block 2006, client object 824 determines whether or not the tagidentified in block 2002 is a required tag. As described above withreference to the example region configuration file, the first entry in adata tag indicates whether the tag specifies metadata (meta), requireddata (req), or optional data (opt). If it is determined that theidentified tag is not required (the “No” branch from block 2006), thenclient object 824 takes no action, and prepare task list 1016 continuesat block 2012, described below.

At block 2008, when it is determined that the identified tag is required(the “Yes” branch from block 2006), client object 824 creates a non-usertask object 826 and adds the task to the end of task list 1004. Anon-user task object may be created by calling the add task API function1022 with a default set of parameters. In an alternate implementation,input parameters for add task 1022 may be included in the regionconfiguration file, for example, as additional entries in a tagassociated with task object 826. Prepare task list 1016 then continuesat block 2012, described below.

At block 2010, when it is determined that a task matching the identifiedtag already exists in task list 1004, client object 824 pushes theexisting task object to the end of task list 1004. Furthermore, if it isthe first task object to be pushed to the end of the task list, clientobject 824 also flags the task as the first one pushed to the end oftask list 1004.

At block 2012, client object 824 examines the region configuration fileto determine whether or not there are additional non-meta tagsassociated with the definition of the selected configuration. If thereare additional non-meta tags (the “Yes” branch from block 2012), thenprepare task list 1016 loops through blocks 2002-2012 until there are noremaining non-meta tags associated with the selected configuration.Prepare task list 1016 then continues at block 2014.

At block 2014, client object 824 examines task list 1004 to determinewhether or not the first task in the list is flagged as the first taskpushed to the end of the task list (as described above with reference toblock 2010). If it is determined that the first task in task list 1004is flagged as the first task pushed (the “Yes” branch from block 2014),then client object 824 takes no further action, and prepare task list1016 terminates. On the other hand, if the first task in task list 1004is not flagged as the first task pushed (the “No” branch from block2014), then prepare task list 1016 continues at block 2016.

At block 2016, client object 824 examines the first task in task list1004 to determine whether or not the task is a user task. (User tasksare those task objects created while client object 824 is in addingtasks state 1202, as described above with reference to FIG. 12.) If thefirst task in task list 1004 is a user task (the “Yes” branch from block2016), prepare task list 1016 continues at block 2018. Otherwise (the“No” branch from block 2016), prepare task list 1016 continues at block2020.

At block 2018, client object 824 shelves the first task in task list1004. When a task is shelved, the task remains in the task list, but hasa next activity time property set to the most future representable dateand time to ensure that the task will not execute. An exemplary methodfor shelving a task is described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 35.

At block 2020, client object 824 deletes the first task in task list1004.

Prepare task list 1016 then loops back to block 2014, repeating blocks2014-2020 until the first task in task list 1004 is the task that wasflagged in block 2010 as the first task pushed to the end of task list1004.

Exemplary Client Object Choose Configuration API Function

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary choose configuration method 1024 thatmay be performed by client object 824 in response to an API call. Chooseconfiguration 1024 is callable by a viewer through a user interfacecomponent, such as user interface 820. User interface 820 makesavailable to the viewer a list of available configurations, with thecurrently selected configuration highlighted (or otherwise indicated).When a viewer selects a configuration (other than the currently selectedconfiguration), choose configuration 1024 is called.

At block 2102, client object 824 performs any application-specificshutdown procedures that may be required to put the client device into asafe mode that does not rely on any data files. For example, the clientdevice may enter a special state that allows a viewer to continueviewing broadcast programs, but does not allow access to any of theadditional broadcast data, such as the data needed to perform operationssuch as pay per view purchasing, channel locking, configurationselection, etc.

At block 2104, client object 824 stores a configuration identifierassociated with the previously selected configuration within the clientobject. For example, client object 824 sets a local variable that holdsthe current configuration identifier. This value will be used to comparethe new configuration with the previous configuration to clear out anyunnecessary task objects.

At block 2106, client object 824 calls check invalidate task operation1112 for each task in task list 1004. Check invalidate 1112 is used tofree data that is not associated with the newly selected configuration.An exemplary check invalidate task operation 1112 is described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 36.

At block 2108, client object 824 executes prepare task list 1016 (asdescribe above with reference to FIG. 20) to initialize task list 1004to correspond with the newly selected configuration.

At block 2110, client object 824 stores the current client device regionidentifier and the currently selected configuration identifier as aconfiguration value in non-volatile memory 812. As described above,storing the current region identifier and the currently selectedconfiguration identifier allows client device 110 to reload the lastselected configuration on startup, and prevents client device 110 fromattempting to reload a previously selected configuration in an eventthat the client device region identifier has changed or the previouslyselected configuration is no longer available.

Exemplary Client Object Get First Task Operation

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary get first task operation 1018 that maybe performed by client object 824. Get first task 1018 is performed byclient object 824 to determine which task to perform when task idletimer 1010 signals that it is time to perform the next task.

At block 2202, client object 824 identifies the first task in task list1004.

At block 2204, client object 824 compares the next activity timeproperty of the first task in task list 1004 with the current time. Ifthe next activity time property is equal to or before the current time(the “Yes” branch from block 2204) then get first task 1018 terminates.Otherwise (the “No” branch from block 2204), get first task 1018continues at block 2206.

At block 2206, client object 824 stores a task identifier and the nextactivity time associated with the current task object, identifying it asthe task with the earliest next activity time.

At block 2208, client object 824 determines whether or not there aremore tasks in task list 1004. If there are more tasks in task list 1004(the “Yes” branch from block 2208), then get first task 1018 continuesat block 2212. Otherwise (the “No” branch from block 2208), at block2210, get first task 1018 moves the task object 826 associated with thestored task identifier to the first position in task list 1004, andterminates.

At block 2212, client object 824 identifies the next task in task list1004.

At block 2214, client object 824 compares the next activity timeproperty of the task with the current time. If the next activity timeproperty is equal to or before the current time (the “Yes” branch fromblock 2214) then get first task 1018 continues at block 2216. Otherwise(the “No” branch from block 2214, get first task 1018 continues at block2218.

At block 2216, client object 824 moves the current task object 826 tothe first position in task list 1004, and get first task 1018terminates.

At block 2218, client object 824 compares the next activity timeproperty of the currently selected task with the next activity timeproperty that was stored as described with reference to block 2206. Ifthe next activity time of the current task is before the stored nextactivity time (the “Yes” branch from block 2218), then get first task1018 loops back to block 2206. Otherwise (the “No” branch from block2218), get first task 1018 loops back to block 2208, as described above.

Exemplary Client Object Invalidate All Operation

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary invalidate all operation 1020 that maybe performed by client object 824. Invalidate all 1020 is executed whenclient object 824 exits main state 1206 either because it detects thatits region identifier has changed (e.g., a new region identifier hasbeen received from the headend) or because it detects that the currentregion configuration file has changed. Invalidate all 1020 invalidateseach task in task list 1004 and puts client object 824 into gettingregion config file state 1204.

At block 2302, client object 824 performs any application-specificshutdown procedures that may be required to put the client device into asafe mode. For example, the client device may enter a special state thatallows a viewer to continue viewing broadcast programs, but not accessany of the additional broadcast data, such as the data needed to performoperations such as pay per view purchasing, channel locking,configuration selection, etc.

At block 2304, client object 824 calls a reset function associated witheach task in task list 1004. For example, client object 824 loopsthrough task list 1004 and calls task object reset operation 1108 foreach task object in task list 1004. An exemplary task object resetoperation 1108 is described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 34.

At block 2306, client object 824 determines whether its current state isgetting region config file 1204. If the current state is getting regionconfig file (the “Yes” branch from block 2306), then invalidate all 1020continues at block 2308. Otherwise (the “No” branch from block 2306),invalidate all 1020 continues at block 2312.

At block 2308, client object 824 cancels any outstanding BCFS requests.

At block 2310, client object 824 frees the current region configurationfile. In the described implementation, the broadcast data that isreceived is maintained in RAM by the task objects 826. In an alternateimplementation, the received broadcast data may be stored on a harddrive or other memory device. Depending on the implementation, clientobject 824 frees the current region configuration file by freeing theRAM in which the region configuration file is maintained, by deletingthe region configuration file stored on a hard drive, or by any othermethod for making storage space available.

At block 2312, client object 824 enters getting region config file state1204.

Exemplary Task Object State Transition

In the described implementation, depending on how it is created, a taskobject 826 may be responsible for monitoring the contents of a singledirectory, or the task object 826 may be responsible for monitoring thecontents of all subdirectories under a particular directory. A taskobject 826 that is created with the files flag property set isresponsible for monitoring the contents of a single directory, while atask object 826 that is created with the subdirs flag property setresponsible for monitoring the contents of all subdirectories under aparticular directory. In the described implementation, only one level ofsubdirectories is supported, but it is recognized that support foradditional subdirectory levels may also be similarly implemented.

A task object 826 can receive two types of messages from client object824. The first indicates that task idle timer 1010 has signaled, whichcauses the task object 826 to determine the next appropriate BCFScommand to execute based on the task object's current state. The secondtype of message that can be received is a response from BCFS 815.

State Transition in Task Object Responsible for Files

FIG. 24 illustrates transitions between states 1104 of task object 826created to monitor the contents of a single directory (indicated by thefiles flag property). When a task object 826 is created (e.g., throughan API call to add task 1022) or has just been reset (an exemplary taskreset operation 1108 is described below, with reference to FIG. 34), thetask object 826 enters new state 2402. When task object 826 receives asignal that it is to be processed (or executed) while in new state 2402,task object 826 enters syncing state 2404. Task object 826 new stateprocessing is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 25.

While in syncing state 2404, task object 826 attempts to synchronizelocally maintained data associated with task object 826 with data of thesame data type that is being broadcast. Task object 826 remains insyncing state 2404 until the data is successfully synchronized (at whichpoint task object 826 enters synced state 2406) or until the task objectis invalidated, for example, when a viewer selects a new configuration(at which point task object 826 re-enters new state 2402). Task object826 syncing state processing is described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 26.

While in synced state 2406, task object 826 verifies that thesynchronized data remains synchronized. If task object 826 determinesthat the data is no longer synchronized, then task object 826 re-enterssyncing state 2404. If task object 826 is invalidated, for example, whena viewer selects a new configuration, then task object 826 re-enters newstate 2402. Task object 826 synced state processing is described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 27.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary method 2500 performed by task object826 while in new state 2402.

At block 2502, task object 826 waits to receive a signal to process fromclient object 824.

At block 2504, task object 826 receives a signal to process from clientobject 824.

At block 2506, task object 826 issues a seek directory call to BCFS 815,specifying the directory associated with the data type of the task (asindicated by the tag value of the tag in the configuration definitionthat is associated with current task object 826).

At block 2508, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2510, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2512, task object 826 determines (based on the receivedresponse) whether the BCFS seek directory call was successful.

If the BCFS seek directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 2512), then task object new state processing continues at block2514. On the other hand, if the BCFS seek directory call failed (the“No” branch from block 2512), then task object new state processingcontinues at block 2516.

At block 2514, task object 826 examines the received BCFS response todetermine whether a data size limit property value associated with taskobject 826 is exceeded by the broadcast data of the specified type.

If the data size limit is exceeded (the “Yes” branch from block 2514),then task object new state processing continues at block 2516. On theother hand, if the data size limit is not exceeded, or a data size limitis not specified (the “No” branch from block 2514), then at block 2518,task object 826 enters syncing state 2404.

At block 2516, task object 826 sets the next activity time property to afuture time (e.g., five minutes from the current time), and task object826 remains in new state 2402, continuing processing at block 2502.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary method 2600 performed by task object826 while in syncing state 2404.

At block 2602, task object 826 waits to receive a signal to process fromclient object 824.

At block 2604, task object 826 receives a signal to process from clientis object 824.

At block 2606, task object 826 issues a sync directory call to BCFS 815,specifying the directory associated with the data type of the task (asindicated by the tag value of the tag in the configuration definitionthat is associated with the current task object 826).

At block 2608, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2610, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2612, task object 826 determines (based on the receivedresponse) whether the BCFS sync directory call was successful.

If the BCFS sync directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 2612), then task object syncing state processing continues atblock 2614. On the other hand, if the BCFS sync directory call failed(the “No” branch from block 2612), then task object syncing stateprocessing continues at block 2618.

At block 2614, task object 826 examines the received BCFS response todetermine whether a data size limit property value associated with taskobject 826 is exceeded by the broadcast data of the specified type.

If the data size limit is exceeded (the “Yes” branch from block 2614),then task object syncing state processing continues at block 2616. Onthe other hand, if the data size limit is not exceeded, or a data sizelimit is not specified (the “No” branch from block 2614), then taskobject syncing state operation continues at block 2620, described below.

At block 2616, task object 826, sets the next activity time property toa future time (e.g., five minutes from the current time).

At block 2618, task object 826 frees (by deleting or freeing memory) anydata received in association with the current task object, and remainsin syncing state 2404, looping back to block 2602.

At block 2620, task object 826 sets the next activity time property tothe current time plus the value of the re-check interval property.

At block 2622, task object 826 determines whether a handler function isassociated with the task object (as indicated by the task handlerfunction property of task object 826). If a handler function isspecified, then, at block 2626, the handler function is called.

At block 2624, task object 826 enters synced state 2406.

FIGS. 27 a and 27 b illustrate an exemplary method 2700 performed bytask object 826 while in synced state 2406

At block 2702, task object 826 sets the last synchronized data setproperty of the task object to the name of the tag value from the tag inthe configuration definition that is associated with the task object.The tag value indicates the location from which the received data wasbroadcast. This value is stored when the task object is synchronized toenable client object 824 to determine which task objects need to bere-synchronized when a new configuration is selected.

At block 2704, task object 826 waits to receive a signal to process fromclient object 824.

At block 2706, task object 826 receives a signal to process from clientobject 824.

At block 2708, task object 826 issues a seek directory call to BCFS 815to determine whether or not the locally maintained data associated withtask object 826 is still synchronized with the data that is beingbroadcast.

At block 2710, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2712, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2714, task object 826 determines (based on the receivedresponse) whether the BCFS seek directory call was successful.

If the BCFS seek directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 2714), then task object synced state processing continues at block2716. On the other hand, if the BCFS seek directory call failed (the“No” branch from block 2714), then task object synced state processingcontinues at block 2720.

At block 2716, task object 826 examines the received BCFS response todetermine whether specified directory is still synchronized. If the datais synchronized (the “Yes” branch from block 2716), then task objectsynced state processing continues at block 2720. Otherwise (the “No”branch from block 2716), task object synced state processing continuesat block 2718.

At block 2718, task object 826 examines the received BCFS response todetermine whether a data size limit property value associated with taskobject 826 is exceeded by the broadcast data of the specified type.

If the data size limit is exceeded (the “Yes” branch from block 2718),then task object synced state processing continues at block 2720. On theother hand, if the data size limit is not exceeded, or a data size limitis not specified (the “No” branch from block 2718), then task objectsynced state processing continues at block 2722, described below.

At block 2720, task object 826, sets the next activity time property tothe current time plus the value of the re-check interval property, andtask object 826 remains in synced state 2406, looping back to block2704.

At block 2722, task object 826 determines whether a handler function isassociated with the task object (as indicated by the task handlerfunction property of task object 826). If a handler function is notspecified, then at block 2724, task object 826 enters syncing state2404. On the other hand, if a handler function is specified, then, atblock 2726, the handler function is called to determine whensynchronization is to occur, and processing continues at block 2728,illustrated in FIG. 27 b.

At block 2728, task object 826 determines, based on a response from thehandler function whether synchronization is to be performed immediately.If so, then at block 2730, task object 826 enters syncing state 2404.

Otherwise, at block 2732, task object 826 determines, based on theresponse from the handler function, whether synchronization is to beperformed in a short time. If so, then at block 2734, task object 826sets the next activity time property to a short time in the future(e.g., the current time plus five seconds), and task object synced stateprocessing continues at block 2702 (as illustrated in FIG. 27 a).

If the response from the handler function indicates that synchronizationis to be performed later (the “No” branch from block 2732), then atblock 2736, task object 826 sets the next activity time property to thecurrent time plus the value of the re-check interval property. Taskobject synced state processing then continues at block 2702 (asillustrated in FIG. 27 a).

State Transition in Task Object Responsible for Subdirectories

FIG. 28 illustrates transitions between states 1104 of task object 826created to monitor the contents of all subdirectories under a particulardirectory (as indicated by the value of the subdirs flag property). Thestate transitions illustrated in FIG. 28 are more complicated than thestate transitions illustrated in FIG. 24 because task object 826 isresponsible for synchronizing data in multiple subdirectories. In thiscase, task object 826 utilizes the directory index property and thedirectory count property. As described above, the directory indexproperty stores an integer that indicates which subdirectory iscurrently being operated on. The directory count property stores aninteger that indicates the number of directories that have currentlybeen synchronized by task object 826.

When a task object 826 is created (e.g., through an API call to add task1022) or has just been reset (an exemplary task reset operation 1108 isdescribed below, with reference to FIG. 34), the task object 826 entersnew state 2802. When task object 826 receives a signal that it is to beprocessed (or executed) while in new state 2802, task object 826 entersvalidating state 2804. Task object 826 new state processing in thiscontext is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 29.Task object 826 re-enters new state 2802 from any other state if thetask object is invalidated (such as when a viewer selects a newconfiguration with which task object 826 is not associated).

Validating state 2804 is used by task object 826 to control thesynchronization of each subdirectory associated with task object 826.Task object 826 validating state processing is described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 30. When task object 826, while invalidating state 2804, determines that a particular subdirectory is notsynchronized, task object 826 enters syncing state 2808. When taskobject 826, while in validating state 2804, determines that all of thesubdirectories associated with the task are synchronized, then taskobject enters synced state 2806.

While in syncing state 2808, task object 826 attempts to synchronizelocally maintained data from a particular subdirectory associated withtask object 826 with data that is being broadcast. Task object 826syncing state processing in this context is described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 31. When the subdirectory is successfullysynchronized, task object returns to validating state 2804.

After all of the subdirectories associated with task object 826 aresynchronized, task object 826 remains in synched state 2806 until asignal to process is received from client object 824. When processedwhile in synced state 2806, task object 826 determines thesubdirectories that are being broadcast that are associated with taskobject 826, and then moves to validating pre-synced state 2810. Taskobject 826 synced state processing in this context is described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 32.

While in validating pre-synced state 2810, task object 826 verifies thatpreviously synchronized data in each subdirectory associated with taskobject 826 is still synchronized. If task object 826 determines that thedata is no longer synchronized, then task object 826 re-enters syncingstate 2808. Task object 826 validating pre-synced state processing isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 33.

FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary method 2900 performed by task object826 while in new state 2802.

At block 2902, task object 826 waits to receive a signal to process fromclient object 824.

At block 2904, task object 826 receives a signal to process from clientobject 824.

At block 2906, task object 826 issues a seek directory call to BCFS 815specifying the top-level directory associated with the task (which isgiven by the tag value of the tag in the currently selectedconfiguration definition that is associated with data type of taskobject 826).

At block 2908, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2910, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 2912, task object 826 determines (based on the receivedresponse) whether the BCFS seek directory call was successful.

If the BCFS seek directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 2912), then task object new state processing continues at block2916. On the other hand, if the BCFS seek directory call failed (the“No” branch from block 2912), then task object new state processingcontinues at block 2914.

At block 2914, task object 826 sets the next activity time property to afuture time (e.g., five minutes from the current time), and task object826 remains in new state 2802, continuing processing at block 2902.

If the BCFS seek directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 2912), then BCFS 815 returns a list of subdirectories associatedwith the specified top-level directory and a count of thesubdirectories.

At block 2916, task object 826 stores the returned list ofsubdirectories. In one implementation, the list is stored (and laterprocessed) in alphabetical order.

At block 2918, task object 826 stores the count of subdirectoriesreturned by the BCFS 815.

At block 2920, task object 826 sets the value of the directory indexproperty to zero.

At block 2922, task object 826 sets the value of the directory countproperty to −1.

At block 2924, task object 826 enters validating state 2804.

FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary method 3000 performed by task object826 while in validating state 2804.

At block 3002, task object 826 waits to receive a signal to process fromclient object 824.

At block 3004, task object 826 receives a signal to process from clientobject 824.

At block 3006, task object 826 issues a seek directory call to BCFS 815for a subdirectory that was found while task object 826 was in new state2802. The directory index property is used to select a subdirectory fromthe stored list of subdirectories.

At block 3008, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 3010, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 3012, task object 826 determines (based on the receivedresponse) whether the BCFS seek directory call was successful.

If the BCFS seek directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 3012), then task object new state processing continues at block3014. On the other hand, if the BCFS seek directory call failed (the“No” branch from block 3012), then task object new state processingcontinues at block 3016.

At block 3014, task object 826 sets the next activity time property to afuture time (e.g., five minutes from the current time), and task object826 remains in validating state 2804, continuing processing at block3002.

At block 3016, task object 826 examines the received BCFS response todetermine whether the specified subdirectory is synchronized. If theresponse from BCFS 815 indicates that the current subdirectory is notsynchronized (the “No” branch from block 3016), then at block 3018, taskobject 826 enters syncing state 2808. Otherwise (the “Yes” branch fromblock 3016), task object validate state processing continues at block3020.

At block 3020, task object 826 increments the directory index propertyby one.

At block 3022, task object 826 compares the value of the directory indexproperty with the count of subdirectories that was previously returnedby BCFS 815. If the values are equal (indicating that all of thesubdirectories are synchronized), then at block 3024, task object 826 isset to synched state 2806. On the other hand, if the values are notequal (indicating that there is at least one subdirectory that is notsynchronized), then task object validating state processing continues atblock 3002.

FIG. 31 illustrates an exemplary method 3100 performed by task object826 while in syncing state 2808.

At block 3102, task object 826 waits to receive a signal to process fromclient object 824.

At block 3104, task object 826 receives a signal to process from clientobject 824.

At block 3106, task object 826 issues a sync directory call to BCFS 815specifying the current subdirectory (as determined by the directoryindex property). In one implementation, because some data (e.g., pagesthat display EPG search results) may require pointers to other data inother directories, task object 826 may call a handler function thatcontrols when the sync directory call is made.

At block 3108, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 3110, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 3112, task object 826 determines (based on the receivedresponse) whether the BCFS sync directory call was successful.

If the BCFS sync directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 3112), then task object new state processing continues at block3116. On the other hand, if the BCFS seek directory call failed (the“No” branch from block 3112), then task object new state processingcontinues at block 3114.

At block 3114, task object 826 sets the next activity time property to afuture time (e.g., five minutes from the current time), and task object826 remains in syncing state 2808, continuing processing at block 3102.

At block 3116, task object 826 examines the received BCFS response todetermine whether a data size limit associated with task object 826 isexceeded by the data in the subdirectories that have been synchronized.

If the data size limit is exceeded (the “Yes” branch from block 3116),then at block 3118, task object 826 frees the data associated with thelast subdirectory in the list of subdirectories, and continues at block3116.

At block 3120, task object 826 determines whether or not a handlerfunction is associated with task object 826 (as indicated by the handlerfunction property). If there task object 826 has an associated handlerfunction (the “Yes” branch from block 3120), then at block 3122, taskobject 826 calls the handler function.

At block 3124, task object 826 increments the directory index propertyby one.

At block 3126, task object 826 increments the directory count propertyby one.

At block 3128, task object 826 re-enters validating state 2804.

FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary method 3200 performed by task object826 while in synced state 2806

At block 3202, task object 826 sets the last synchronized data setproperty of the task object to the name of the tag value from the tag inthe configuration definition that is associated with the task object.The tag value indicates the top-level directory from which the receiveddata was broadcast. This value is stored when the task object issynchronized to enable client object 824 to determine which task objectsneed to be re-synchronized when a new configuration is selected.

At block 3204, task object 826 determines whether a signal from clientobject 824 to process is received. Task object 826 continues loopingback at block 3204 until a signal to process is received.

At block 3208, task object 826 sets the directory index property to 0.

At block 3210, task object 826 enters validating pre-synced state 2810.

FIGS. 33 a and 33 b illustrate an exemplary method 3300 performed bytask object 826 while in validating pre-synced state 2810.

At block 3302, task object 826 waits to receive a signal to process fromclient object 824.

At block 3304, task object 826 receives a signal to process from clientobject 824.

At block 3306, task object 826 issues a seek directory call to BCFS 815for a subdirectory that was found while task object 826 was in new state2802. The directory index property is used to select a subdirectory fromthe stored list of subdirectories.

At block 3308, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 3310, task object 826 waits for a response from BCFS 815 to bereceived.

At block 3312, task object 826 determines (based on the receivedresponse) whether the BCFS seek directory call was successful.

If the BCFS seek directory call was successful (the “Yes” branch fromblock 3312), then task object new state processing continues at block3316. On the other hand, if the BCFS seek directory call failed (the“No” branch from block 3312), then task object new state processingcontinues at block 3314.

At block 3314, task object 826 sets the next activity time property to afuture time (e.g., five minutes from the current time), and task object826 remains in validating pre-synced state 2810, continuing processingat block 3302.

At block 3316, task object 826 examines the received BCFS response todetermine whether the specified subdirectory is synchronized. If theresponse from BCFS 815 indicates that the current subdirectory is notsynchronized (the “No” branch from block 3316), then task objectvalidate state processing continues at block 3324. Otherwise (the “Yes”branch from block 3316), task object validate state processing continuesat block 3318.

At block 3318, task object 826 increments the directory index propertyby one.

At block 3320, task object 826 compares the value of the directory indexproperty with the count of subdirectories that was previously returnedby BCFS 815. If the values are equal (indicating that all of thesubdirectories are synchronized), then at block 3322, task object 826 isenters synched state 2806. On the other hand, if the values are notequal (indicating that there is at least one subdirectory that is notsynchronized), then task object validating state processing continues atblock 3302.

If at block 3316, it is determined that the specified subdirectory isnot synchronized, then at block 3324, task object 826 determines whetheror not a handler function is associated with task object 826 (based onthe handler function property). If it is determined that there is not anassociated handler function, then at block 3326, task object 826 enterssyncing state 2808. Otherwise, task object validate pre-synched stateprocessing continues at block 3328.

At block 3328, task object 826 calls the associated handler function todetermine when the subdirectory is to be synchronized, and processingcontinues at block 3330, as illustrated in FIG. 33 b.

At block 3330, task object 826 determines, based on a response from thehandler function whether the subdirectory is to be synchronizedimmediately. If so, then at block 3332, task object 826 enters syncingstate 2808.

Otherwise, at block 3334, task object 826 determines, based on theresponse from the handler function, whether the subdirectory is to besynchronized in a short time. If so, then at block 3336, task object 826sets the next activity time property to a short time in the future(e.g., the current time plus five seconds), and task object validatingpre-synced state processing continues at block 3302, as illustrated inFIG. 33 a.

If the response from the handler function indicates that thesubdirectory is to be synchronized later (the “No” branch from block3334), then at block 3338, task object 826 sets the next activity timeproperty to the current time plus the value of the re-check intervalproperty. Task object validating pre-synced state processing thencontinues at block 3302, as illustrated in FIG. 33 a.

Exemplary Task Object Reset Operation

FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary reset operation 1108 associated withtask object 826. Reset operation 1108 is performed when the state oftask object 826 changes and data acquisition for the task is to berestarted from the beginning.

At block 3402, task object 826 cancels any outstanding requests to BCFS815.

At block 3404, task object 826 deletes all data files that are stored onclient device 110 and associated with the data type of task object 826.

At block 3406, task object 826 sets the directory count property to −1,indicating that no directory synchronizations have been attempted.

At block 3408, task object 826 sets the directory index property to 0.

At block 3410, task object 826 sets the next activity time property tothe current time to ensure that the task will be executed in the nearfuture.

At block 3412, task object 826 enters new state 2402 (or new state2802).

At block 3414, task object 826 determines whether or not data associatedwith the task is in the default path (based on the in default pathflag). If the data associated with the task is not in the default path(the “No” branch from block 3414), then reset operation 1108 terminates.Otherwise (the “Yes” branch from block 3414), reset operation 1108continues at block 3416.

At block 3416, task operation 826 performs default dir list maintenanceoperation 1114 to update the list of available directories.

Exemplary Task Object Shelve Operation

FIG. 35 illustrates an exemplary shelve operation 1110 associated withtask object 826. Shelve operation 1110 is performed when task object 826has been created by a user, but is not used by the currently selectedconfiguration.

At block 3502, task object 826 performs the reset operation 1110 (asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 34).

At block 3504, task object 826 sets the next activity time property tothe latest representable date/time. This enables the task to remain ontask list 1004, but ensures that it will not be called because the nextactivity time property will never be sooner than another task's nextactivity time property.

Exemplary Task Object Check Invalidate Operation

FIG. 36 illustrates an exemplary check invalidate operation 1112associated with task object 826. Check invalidate operation 1112 isperformed to clear a task object not associated with a newly selectedconfiguration.

At block 3602, task object 826 determines its current state. If taskobject 826 is in synced state 2406 (or synced state 2806) (the “Yes”branch from block 3602), then check invalidate 1112 continues at block3604. Otherwise (the “No” branch from block 3602), check invalidate 1112continues at block 3606.

At block 3604, task object 826 examines the last synced data setproperty. If the source location of the data type currently associatedwith task object 826 (as indicated by the tag value in the configurationdefinition in the region configuration file) matches the last synceddata set property (the “Yes” branch from block 3604), then no action istaken and check invalidate 1112 terminates. (This situation indicatesthat the data of the data type associated with task object 826 for thepreviously selected configuration is the same for the newly selectedconfiguration.)

At block 3606, task object 826 performs the reset operation 1108(described above with reference to FIG. 34) to clear out any dataassociated with the task.

Exemplary Client Object Find Specific File API Function

FIG. 37 illustrates an exemplary find specific file function 1026 thatmay be performed by client object 824 in response to an API call.Typically, find specific file 1026 is called by an application (such asa user interface or EPG application) to retrieve data to be presented toa viewer. Find specific file 1026 receives a full path file name as aparameter.

At block 3702, client object 824 receives a full path file name.

At block 3704, client object 824 parses the received path to determinethe task object 826 responsible for maintaining a local copy of therequested file. In the described implementation, a first portion of thepath identifies the data type associated with the file; a second portionof the path identifies a source location of the file that is broadcast;and a third portion of the path identifies the file name.

At block 3706, client object 824 searches a task object identified bythe first and second portion of the received path for the requestedfile.

At block 3708, client object 824 determines whether or not the file wasfound.

If the file is not found (the “No” branch from block 3708), then atblock 3710, client object 824 returns a file not found error to therequesting application.

If the file is found (the “Yes” branch from block 3708), then at block3712, client object 824 returns the size of the file and a pointer tothe file.

Exemplary Client Object Find File in Default Path API Function

FIG. 38 illustrates an exemplary find file in default path function 1028that may be performed by client object 824 in response to an API call.Typically, find file in default path 1028 is called by an application(such as a user interface or EPG application) to retrieve data to bepresented to a viewer. Find file in default path 1028 receives a filename as a parameter.

At block 3802, client object 824 receives a file name.

At block 3804, client object 824 identifies a task object 826 that isassociated with the last tag listed in the currently selectedconfiguration definition.

At block 3806, client object 824 determines whether the identified taskobject 826 is in the default path (as indicated by the in default pathflag associated with the task object). If the identified task object 826is not in the default path, then find file in default path 1028continues at block 3816.

At block 3808, client object 824 determines whether or not the dataassociated with the identified task object is synchronized. In oneimplementation, in which task objects are grouped, for example accordingto a data type group identifier that may be specified as part of theconfiguration definition, determining whether or not the data associatedwith the identified task object is synchronized also includesdetermining whether or not all of the data associated with the taskobjects of the same group are also synchronized. If any of the taskobjects associated with the group are not synchronized, then the currenttask object is determined to not be synchronized. In this way, otherapplications (such as a user interface) are not give access to any ofthe received data associated with a particular data type group until allof the data associated with data types in the group are is successfullyreceived. If the identified task object 826 is not synchronized, thenfind file in default path 1028 continues at block 3816.

At block 3810, client object 824 searches the data maintained by theidentified task object 826 for the requested file.

At block 3812, client object 824 determines whether or not the file hasbeen found.

If the file is found (the “Yes” branch from block 3812), then at block3814, client object 824 returns the size of the file and a pointer tothe file.

If the file is not found (the “No” branch from block 3812), then atblock 3816, client object 824 determines whether or not all of the taskobjects associated with the currently selected configuration have beenchecked. If there are more task objects to search (the “No” branch fromblock 3816), then find file in default path 1028 continues at block3820.

If there are no more task objects to search (the “Yes” branch from block3816), then at block 3818, client object 824 returns a file not foundmessage.

At block 3804, client object 824 identifies a task object 826 that isassociated with the next previous tag listed in the currently selectedconfiguration definition. The task objects are searched in reverse orderto insure that any override data (which is downloaded after the defaultdata that it overrides) will be found before the default data that itoverrides is found.

CONCLUSION

Although the systems and methods have been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to beunderstood that the invention defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather,the specific features and steps are disclosed as preferred forms ofimplementing the claimed invention.

1. A method comprising: receiving, at a broadcast server, data to bebroadcast from one or more data providers, wherein the data to bebroadcast comprises multiple region definitions and multipleconfiguration definitions; maintaining, at the broadcast server, aconfiguration repository storing the multiple region definitions andmappings between the multiple region definitions and the multipleconfiguration definitions, the multiple configuration definitionsdefining parameters for rendering the data, wherein each of the multipleconfiguration definitions comprises: a layout format defining how thedata is presented to a viewer via a user interface; a uniqueconfiguration identification identifying the configuration definition; aconfiguration name associated with the configuration definition; and aculture name indicating a language associated with the configurationdefinition; and generating, at the broadcast server, a regionconfiguration file for each of the multiple region definitions, whereineach region configuration file comprises a plurality of configurationdefinitions associated with a given region definition; transmitting,from the broadcast server to an appropriate client device via an out ofband network connection, at least one region configuration file;automatically selecting, at the appropriate client device, an initialconfiguration definition; selectively transmitting, from the broadcastserver to the appropriate client device via at least one out of bandnetwork connection, the initial configuration definition automaticallyselected; displaying, via a user interface at the appropriate clientdevice, a list of configuration definitions included in the at least oneregion configuration file; receiving, via the user interface at theappropriate client device, a user selected configuration definition;selectively transmitting, from the broadcast server to an appropriateclient device via at least one out of band network connection, the userselected configuration definition; and switching, at the appropriateclient device, the initial configuration definition to the user selectedconfiguration definition.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein atleast one of the multiple configuration definitions is associated with alanguage in which the data is displayed.
 3. The method as recited inclaim 1 wherein at least one of the multiple configuration definitionsis further associated with a viewer interest for representation in apresentation layout in which the data is to be displayed, thepresentation layout providing a theme-based user-interface based on theviewer interest.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein at leastone of the multiple configuration definitions is further associated witha viewer interest used to target advertisements when the data isdisplayed.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the regiondefinitions correspond to region identifiers associated with clientdevices supported by the broadcast server.
 6. The method as recited inclaim 1 wherein the region definitions correspond to geographic regionsin which client devices supported by the broadcast server areimplemented.
 7. A system comprising: a memory; one or more processors,coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to executeone or more instructions stored on the memory; a broadcast servercomprising: one or more data collectors configured to gather data fromone or more data providers; and a configuration management systemconfigured to perform acts comprising: communicating with one or moreclient devices via one or more out of band network connections;receiving, at the broadcast server, multiple configuration definitions;receiving, at the broadcast server, multiple region definitions;maintaining, at the broadcast server, a configuration repository storingthe multiple region definitions and mappings between the multiple regiondefinitions and the multiple configuration definitions, the multipleconfiguration definitions defining parameters for rendering the data,wherein each of the multiple configuration definitions comprise: alayout format defining how the data is presented to a viewer via a userinterface; a unique configuration identification indentifying theconfiguration definition; a configuration name, associated with theconfiguration definition; and a culture name indicating a languageassociated with the configuration definition; and generating, at thebroadcast server, a region configuration file for each of the multipleregion definitions, wherein each region configuration file comprises aplurality of configuration definitions associated with a given regiondefinition; transmitting, from the broadcast server to an appropriateclient device via an out of band network connection, at least one regionconfiguration file; automatically selecting, at the appropriate clientdevice, an initial configuration definition; selectively transmitting,from the broadcast server to the appropriate client device via at leastone out of band network connection, the initial configuration definitionautomatically selected; displaying, via a user interface at theappropriate client device, a list of configuration definitions includedin the at least one region configuration file; receiving, via the userinterface at the appropriate client device, a user selectedconfiguration definition; selectively transmitting, from the broadcastserver to an appropriate client device via at least one out of bandnetwork connection, the user selected configuration definition; andswitching, at the appropriate client device, the initial configurationdefinition to the user selected configuration definition.
 8. The systemas recited in claim 7, wherein the data collectors comprise at least oneof an advertisement data collector for gathering advertisement data, avideo-on-demand data collector for gathering listings of availablevideo-on-demand, and an electronic program guide data collector forgathering data that identifies scheduled broadcast programs.
 9. Thesystem as recited in claim 7, wherein the configuration managementsystem further comprises: a configuration interface that provides accessto the configuration repository.
 10. The system as recited in claim 7wherein at least one of the multiple configuration definitions isassociated with a language in which the data displayed.
 11. The systemas recited in claim 7 wherein at least one of the multiple configurationdefinitions is further associated with a viewer for representation in apresentation layout in which the data is to be displayed, thepresentation layout providing a theme-based user-interface based on theviewer interest.
 12. The system as recited in claim 7 wherein at leastone of the multiple configuration definitions is further associated witha viewer interest used to target advertisements when the data isdisplayed.
 13. The system as recited in claim 7 wherein the regiondefinitions correspond to region identifiers associated with clientdevices supported by the broadcast server.
 14. The system as recited inclaim 7 wherein the region definitions correspond to geographic regionsin which client devices supported by the broadcast server areimplemented.
 15. One or more computer-readable storage media storingcomputer executable instructions that, when executed, configure acomputing system to perform acts comprising: receiving, at a broadcastserver, data to be broadcast from one or more data providers, whereinthe data to be broadcast comprises multiple region definitions andmultiple configuration definitions; maintaining, at the broadcastserver, a configuration repository storing the multiple regiondefinitions and mappings between the multiple region definitions and themultiple configuration definitions, the multiple configurationdefinitions defining parameters for rendering the data, wherein each ofthe multiple configuration definitions comprises: a layout formatdefining how the data is presented to a viewer via a user interface; aunique configuration identification identifying the configurationdefinition; a configuration name associated with the configurationdefinition; and a culture name indicating a language associated with theconfiguration definition; and generating, at the broadcast server, aregion configuration file for each of the multiple region definitions,wherein each region configuration file comprises a plurality ofconfiguration definitions associated with a given region definition;transmitting, from the broadcast server to an appropriate client devicevia an out of band network connection, at least one region configurationfile; automatically selecting, at the appropriate client device, aninitial configuration definition; selectively transmitting, from thebroadcast server to the appropriate client device via at least one outof band network connection, the initial configuration definitionautomatically selected; displaying, via a user interface at theappropriate client device, a list of configuration definitions includedin the at least one region configuration file; receiving, via the userinterface at the appropriate client device, a user selectedconfiguration definition; selectively transmitting, from the broadcastserver to an appropriate client device via at least one out of bandnetwork connection, the user selected configuration definition; andswitching, at the appropriate client device, the initial configurationdefinition to the user selected configuration definition.
 16. The one ormore computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 15 wherein atleast one of the multiple configuration definitions is associated with alanguage in which the data is displayed.
 17. The one or morecomputer-readable storage media as recited in claim 15 wherein at leastone of the multiple configuration definitions is further associated witha viewer interest for representation in a presentation layout in whichthe data is to be displayed, the presentation layout providing atheme-based user-interface based on the viewer interest.
 18. The one ormore computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 15 wherein atleast one of the multiple configuration definitions is furtherassociated with a viewer interest used to target advertisements when thedata is displayed.
 19. The one or more computer-readable storage mediaas recited in claim 15 wherein the region definitions correspond toregion identifiers associated with client devices supported by thebroadcast server.
 20. The one or more computer-readable storage media asrecited in claim 15 wherein the region definitions correspond togeographic regions in which client devices supported by the broadcastserver are implemented.